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The following are Extracts from the Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 3, February 2003
This Newsletter from 2003 includes information on the financing and building of our clubhouse – information which is of interest at a time when we are well advanced in what might be called Phase 2 of the clubhouse development.
We are grateful to Frank Phelan who brought our attention to the Newsletter.
The text of the Newsletter is unchanged, though the photos and layout have been modified. If any reader has further information on any of the photos at the bottom of the Newsletter, please pass this on.
Some readers will see younger versions of parents, friends, or perhaps even themselves. Any other relevant photos etc which you may have from the past history of the Club would be appreciated.
Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club Newsletter
Volume 1, Issue 3, February 2003
New Club House is Underway!
The Rowing Club's new clubhouse is a reality . This achievement has resulted from the joint efforts of club president Pat Bracken and successive dedicated parents' committees, assisted by former school Principal Frank Canavan and the Board of Management of the school. The parents' committee ran a very successful fundraising campaign at the initial stages of this project. The Club is also particularly appreciative of the financial support given by the school, the Jesuit Provincial, and the Government, through the National Lottery.
The new clubhouse nearing completion in 2003
The old clubhouse was built in 1962 by Fahy & Colgan, following serious damage done to the previous building by hurricane Debbie. Gerry Colgan, one of our founding members, also gave great assistance to the club over the succeeding years. Since then, membership of the club has been increasing steadily, and it was realised at the turn of the millennium that the club urgently needed development if it was to continue to thrive.
The earlier clubhouse, built in1962 after the previous clubhouse was destroyed by a hurricane
The new club is twice the size of the old, with an area of 420
square metres. The original proposals included a training room,
ladies and gents changing rooms with shower and toilet facilities
and racking space for the existing and future boats.
At the moment the final cost of the completion of the project is estimated at 450,000 Euro. The club has raised over 257,000 Euro to date. Thus, the club is left with a shortfall in the order of 200,000 Euro. In the next couple of weeks the committee will be seeking the support of former club members and parents in raising the necessary capital to finish this huge project. This clubhouse, which will be the biggest in Galway, will mark a new era in Jes rowing. The grand opening of the club is provisionally planned for May/June. Details of the date will be given in the next newsletter. Finally, the Rowing Club would like both to acknowledge the steadfast support of Frank Canavan throughout his tenure as school Principal, and to wish him a long and happy retirement. We would also like to take this opportunity to offer our best wishes to the new Principal, Paddy Lydon. We look forward to a fruitful working relationship with him over the coming years.
Message from the President
The 2002—2003 season has started eventfully with a number of new developments. Glenman Ltd started constructing our new club in September and we hope to be boating out of the new club in March. In the meantime NUI, Galway Rowing club have been accommodating our club members by providing boat storage and launching facilities. Without their good will we would not be able to operate during construction. Our sincere thanks go to Dave Mannion (NUIG club captain), and the NUIG club. We wish them continued success. Some of the Jes’s equipment is also being stored courtesy of Peacock’s Hotel & Complex Maam Cross. The club is very grateful to Basil Keogh for his kindness and support.
Grainne Smith was succeeded as Club Captain by Brian Dowling. Grainne’s solid work during a busy year was appreciated by all and we thank her for her application. We wish Brian the best of luck in his new demanding post.
Club Captains Grainne Smith (2001) and Brian Dowling (2002)
This year promises to be a busy and expensive one for the club. Finances have
to be found both for the fitting out of the club and its grounds; not to mention the general day to day costs of the club.
Wishing you all a very happy new year,
Pat Bracken
The Championships 2002
This years senior champs saw some excellent results from ex-Jes rowers. The winning NUIG/Tribes/ UCC/Offaly senior eight contained three ex-Jes competitors. They included Maedhbh Boyle who also coxed the winning senior coxed four, Padraig Bracken who won the junior pair in 1999 for the Jes, and Dominic Burke who represented Ireland in the home internationals three weeks previous to the senior championships. Dominic Burke also rowed in the NUIG intermediate four with another ex-Jes rower Michael Ryder. Unfortunately they finished second to an excellent Skibbereen crew.
The Championships 2002 wining senior eight crew from NUIG/Tribes/ UCC/Offaly: L to R Dominic Burke, Johnny Naughton, Padraig Hussey, Dave Mannion, Paul Giblin, Padraig Bracken, Eamon Joyce, Alan Martin, Tom Tuohy coach. Kneeling, Maedhbh Boyle(cox)
The inter pair contained Bryan O’Carroll who rowed in the Anderson winning Jes Junior 8 of 2001. Unfortunately for Bryan they were very unlucky not to make the final. In the women’s section, the Tribes pair of Nessa Folan and Mary Boner (who both won Junior championships in the mid 90s with Jes) came in third against an extremely fast field. Women’s inter fours included Jacqui Bracken, Marie Griffin (both juniors from the 1997 season) and Cox Ciarán Glynn. The Four felt very confident but again it was Skibbereen that took the silverware. The three women teamed up with ex-club captain Fiona Harrington in the senior eights but the Skibbereen crew proved too strong for the former Jesuits and added that race to their exhausted rowing cabinet.
Dara Bracken who is studying for his Leaving Cert at the moment, was the Jes’s sole representative at an international level last year. He competed in both the fours and eights at the Home Internationals in Scotland, finishing second.
The club with it’s new development, is intending to maintain it’s strong successful traditions for years to come.
The Jes Hold a Tenth Anniversary Reunion
The Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club held a reunion on Easter Sunday 2011 for the crew that won the prestigious Anderson Cup in 2001.
From left: David Cuddy, Redmond O Brien, Dominic Burke, Ciarán Bracken,
Oleig Kelly,
Philip Roxby, Kevin Doherty, Keith Duffy, Mairtin Phelan, Charles Doyle, Shane Cawley, Barry Croke, Eddie Mullarkey, Declan Folan, Cormac Folan, Niall Folan,
Bryan O Carroll, Mike Ryder, Liam Molloy, Ciarán Glynn.
The club invited the athletes and coaches from the 2001 and 1999 winning crews for an anniversary row. Two eights were put on the water for the event. The two crews ploughed their way to the top of the straight, spun and began racing down to the bridge. Against the better wishes of the two coxes, both crews forgot their age and it wasn’t long before all (well, at least some) were feeling 10 years younger, rating at 40+!
There was no lack of experience within the two boats, with no fewer than 1 Olympian, 4 World Championship appearances, 3 World Under 23 athletes, 3 Coupe Representatives, 10 Home International singlets, 1 Isis rower, 11 senior pots, 6 inter championships, 3 Novice champs, 4 Ghent gold medals, 2 tattoos and 1 nationwide special! And that’s without the participation of Marc Stephens, Padraig Bracken, Dara Bracken and Aidan Honan!
The club would like to congratulate all athletes and coaches involved with the row, and encourage any former Jes oarsmen and women to visit the club any time they wish.
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