Jes Rowing Goes From Strength to Strength

With 80+ members, Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club is now one of the largest in the country.
The club's reputation and standing have been enhanced by successes in events around Ireland, including the national championships, and by the selection of Jes rowers to compete for Ireland in international events.

Achievements in 2020 - 2021  »  2019-2020  »  2018-2019  »  2017-2018

The 2020/21 racing season was completely disrupted this year, due to COVID-19:

  • No Head of the River or Regatas were scheduled
  • The club purchased a Kanghua Coxed Four/quad mainly for our younger rowers.


You may find more information in our 2020 - 2021 events archive.

Former members of the club have gone on to successfully represent Ireland or their club at World U23 Championships, World University Games, Henley Royal Regatta, Women's Henley, National Senior Championships, World Senior Championships, and the Olympics.

The club's success is only possible because of the great team spirit and work ethic shown by the rowers, the coaches and the many people who support the club in so many different ways. The members of the club would like to thank everybody who has helped: the coaches who give so much of their time; the committee, who keep the club running smoothly and organise fundraising; parents, who help out in many ways; and the Principal and school, who support the club so well.

A Jesuit presence in Galway can be dated to as far back as the 1620's. An invitation in 1859 by the Bishop led to the establishment of St. Ignatius College in 1863. St. Ignatius College continued until 1926 and was re-established as Coláiste Iognáid in 1929.

The school still maintains its Jesuit ethos, although the staff is now predominantly made up of lay persons. The school, and by extension our rowing club, are equally well known locally as "the Jes".

The rowing club was founded in 1934 and has been at its current site at Earl's Island within the grounds of the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) since the early nineteen fifties.

CIRC clubhouse

Information for New Rowers & Parents / Guardians

Things you'll want to know straight away.

Training & Coaches

Learn what's involved in rowing training and who will be in charge of their training.

J15 Rowers, at a competition, preparing a crew boat for a race

Competition Schedule

See what competitions the club will enter this year and get directions to them.

Thanks for supporting us

Everyone at CIRC would like to acknowledge and thank the following organisations for their kind help and/or sponsorship, which is greatly appreciated: