Images: John Hickey
Stella Maris Rowing Club are looking forward to another successful year following a bumper season in 2023. Founded in the 1930s, Stella Maris Rowing Club is one of Dublin’s oldest and most respected rowing clubs. With a rich history, the Ringsend outfit continues to nurture young rowers, promote fitness and build lasting bonds within the community. All levels of experience are catered for, from Junior right up to Senior level.
It was a busy year which began with a well deserved Garda Youth Award for our outstanding youth section. Presented at City Hall, the criteria for the award was for groups of young people whose combined efforts have contributed positively to their communities and it was with great pride that some of our underage members collected the Award alongside their coaches Paul Healy, Brenda Dennard and Liz Flood. The Stella Maris youth section is one of the largest on the East Coast circuit providing an amazing service for the children of Ringsend, Pearse Street, East Wall and the surrounding inner city.
The youth section continued to make waves throughout the year winning race after race at all East Coast Regattas with one of the highlights being our U16 Girls who remained unbeaten all season. Well done to Niamh Kane, Dana Fox, Trudi Pepper, Abigail Ryan and Alicia Weafer and to all our underage rowers. Our Under 12 Boys, Under 14 Girls, Under 14 Boys and Under 18 Girls also claimed overall Gold in their respective championships.
The Adult section did not disappoint either, claiming yet another overall East Coast Championship with East Coast Gold awarded to our Novice Men and Intermediate Ladies’ crews. That is an overall tally of eight championship wins out of the last nine runnings of the East Coast competitions.
There was more to celebrate with the launch of a new coastal boat sponsored by Dublin Port Company. The boat, named St Laurence II, represented yet another investment by Dublin Port in supporting our club. This continued and long-standing partnership comes as part of Dublin Port Company’s wider plans for a new ‘Maritime Village’ within the 3FM Project. The Maritime Village will enable a modern rowing and sailing campus which will provide enhanced facilities for a range of users including sailing, the rowing club, sea scouts, the Nautical Trust and local boat owners.
As a testament to the long-established traditions of Stella Maris, the new boat was blessed by Fr Tonge during a ceremony held at the clubhouse. This meaningful ritual, performed before launching the vessel, we believe ensures safe passage for all who row in the boat.
One of the highlights of the year at Stella Maris is our annual charity “Hope Row”. Run by David “Didser” Doyle, 2023 saw the tenth running of the Hope Row which has raised over €90,000 in total for a wide range of chosen charities. This year it was the RNLI’s turn with €6,600 raised for Howth RNLI. We are so grateful for the support we receive each year for this fantastic day from both our local community and fellow rowing clubs.
It wouldn’t be the Stella Maris if we didn’t end the year on a high and that we certainly did with member Martin McArdle pulling in an impressive third place at the highly competitive Irish Provinces Indoor Rowing Championships at University of Limerick.
We are now looking forward to another exciting season, training has begun in earnest and we are back on the water every chance we get.
If you are interested in getting involved in rowing please contact stellamarisrc.sec@gmail.com
Stella Maris Rowing Club would like to thank all our wonderful supporters and sponsors from 2023 including Dublin Port, D4 Deli, Jamie Kelly Electrical, Hanway Removals, Four Star Pizza, M & D Engineering, Dyno-Rod, East Link Toll Bridge, RMS Security, The Yacht Pub, The Irishtown House, Boss Drains, Kard, Kennedy Refrigeration, Drainclear and The Sandymount Hotel. Stella Maris Rowing Club is supported by grants from Sport Ireland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin Waste to Energy, Dublin City Council.
