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Shannon Dragons make waves at Ningcheng International Dragon Boat Open Festival

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6 months ago

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The Celtic Dragons taking part in the Ningcheng International Dragon Boat Open Festival in China included some Shannon Dragons

Shannon Dragons Dragon Boat Club take to the water at the prestigious Ningcheng International Dragon Boat Open Festival in China with the Celtic Dragons

Shannon Dragons take to the water at the prestigious Ningcheng International Dragon Boat Open Festival in China with the Celtic Dragons
The Celtic Dragons included members from Limerick and Clare and the Dublin Vikings all who proudly represented the European team.

Shannon Dragons Dragon Boat Club, based in O’Briensbridge and Montpelier, participated in the prestigious Ningcheng International Dragon Boat Open Festival in Inner Mongolia, China.

This festival, held from June 14 to 16, offered a unique opportunity for an Irish crew to race in the birthplace of dragon boat racing. The Celtic Dragons, a composite team formed from Limerick and Clare paddlers of Shannon Dragons, Shannon Rowing Club, and Dublin Vikings, proudly represented the European team.

The scorching 35 degress heat didn’t deter the Celtic Dragons as they competed in the challenging distances of 200m, 500m, and 2000m. Chinese TV broadcast the event to an astounding audience of 1.4 billion viewers.


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What set the Celtic Dragons apart was their composition: a crew comprised of 90% women, unlike the 4:6 mixed or all-male crews from other teams. Despite rough conditions that caused a few boats to capsize, the Celtic Dragons persevered and secured a competitive 4th place in the 500m final. 

Beyond the adrenaline-fueled races, the festival’s attraction lay in its picturesque location and the unwavering generosity of the Ningcheng people and Chinese hosts. Their warm hospitality made this event truly unforgettable.

Shannon Dragons is a local dragonboat club catering for breast cancer survivors, their friends, and supporters. The exercise while paddling on a dragonboat is highly recommended for rehabilitation following breast surgery by health professionals. Not only does it benefit members physically, it also gives emotional support, while doing something they enjoy.

Paddling on the Shannon River from Castleconnell Boat Club and Montpellier, they welcome new members with open arms. The Celtic Dragons 2024 comprised Shannon Dragons: Jessica O’Keeffe, Fiona McKeon, Kenneth McDonald, Amanda Kiely, Emily Walsh, Liz Gabbett, and Dublin Vikings: Lorraine Leonard, Lynsey O’Kelly, Ursula Murray Gillian Mangan, Feena Sheeran and Ciara Sobolewski.

Find more information about the club here
Read more Dragonboat stories here

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