St Michaels bring the best of Irish Rowing to Limerick City this Saturday, March 18

City Head of the River time trial will see crews row 6km down the Shannon River.

The City Head of the River time trial event returns with St Michael’s Rowing Club hosting the event for the 3rd time this Saturday, March 18 

St Michael’s Rowing Club are hosting the 3rd City Head of the River time trial event this Saturday from the clubhouse on O’Callaghan Strand. 

Over 50 crews will take to the water over a 60-minute launching period, making use of the club’s floating pontoon. All crews row 6km downriver to the start line where they will set off over the 5.5km course racing towards the city centre. It’s a long, winding course with plenty to challenge the crews and coxes as they race their way towards the finish line. They start off beyond the ‘Cement Factory Bend’ on the river, navigating around the jetties, river buoys and other crews ahead of them. The race format has changed for 2023 to the bigger 8 and 4 person boats to reflect the tough nature of the race.

 3 Trophies are up for grabs with the Pat Breen Cup awarded for fastest overall boat, the Ailish Sheehan Trophy for best overall female club and the Jim ‘Monty’ Ahern Trophy for best overall male club.

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Running a major sports event is never an easy task but St Michaels have roused an army of volunteers to run the event along with the support of neighbouring clubs, Killaloe Sailing Club and Bunratty Search and Rescue to host the event. Their support of the club and events are vital to running safe, fair and fun events. St Michaels continues to build on its past events, hosting the Urban Run, Masters City Regatta and the Head of the River in the city centre.

It’s always a struggle to cover the costs of the event with rising costs in Insurance, fuel and general supplies for the event. The club would also like to thank their sporting sponsors, without whom the event could not take place – Bowe Dental Clinics, Treaty City Brewery, The Commercial Bar, Redfaire, Rowfit, Kangua Boats and Filippi Boats. The club has partnered again with Limerick 2030 and Euro Car Parks to facilitate trailer parking, boat preparation and visiting crews and supporters. It would not be possible for the club to run the city events without this partnership.

Some traffic and parking restrictions will be in place around O’Callaghan Strand and Cleeves. Drivers are asked to follow the instruction of the event marshalls to ensure a safe event is delivered. St Michaels would like to thank the members of the public for their support of the event and for helping to promote the city of Limerick as our sporting capital.

Crews will be launching from the boathouse at approx 1:30pm and the race starts at 3:30pm. There are excellent viewing points from Barrington’s Pier, Shannon Bridge, Steamboat Quay and Harveys Quay with the finish in place of House. The weather gods look to be smiling on St Michaels so pop into the club for a coffee and a tasty treat before heading to watch the city centre racing taking place in the heart of Limerick.

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