Skiffs, outriggers, kayaks, canoes and currachs smash 1,000km target to raise €20,000 for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit

The All In A Row Liffey Challenge was held in early December on the capital’s River Liffey with the challenge for the rowers to smash a 1,000km target in eight hours.

Fifty skiffs, kayaks, canoes, dragon boats and currachs were on the water to raise funds for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit.

Thanks is due to the rowers, supporters and sponsors for their generosity.

Special thanks to Dublin Port, Dublin City Council, Google, Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club and Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association for their valued support.

Dave Kelly with IUSRU

The event organised by the All in a Row Challenge Crew started from St. Patrick’s Rowing Club at the Tom Clarke Bridge (formerly the East Link Bridge) and rowers turned just before the Ha’penny Bridge, rowing back down river to the Tom Clarke Bridge.

This annual challenge is undertaken with the aim of showcasing the River Liffey as one of Dublin’s best amenities, while raising funds for the water related charities; RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.

The event raised €20,000 this year for these two charities.

Dave Kelly, Founder of All in a Row Liffey Challenge thanked all the rowing clubs for their support for this annual event, ‘it is great to see the Liffey being enjoyed by so many rowers.’

The All in a Row Crew are Dave Kelly (Chair) – Draiocht Na Life, Philip Murphy -St. Patrick’s Rowing Club,

Eoin Gaffney – Phoenix Masters Swimming Club,  Mick Curry -Stella Maris Rowing Club, Peter Carey – Phoenix Rowing Club, Richie Nolan – Phoenix Rowing Club, Tony Kelly – East Wall Water Sports Group, Dave Cox – St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Gerry Coonan – Wild Water Kayak Club, Seamus Hallahan – Dublin Vikings Dragon Boats,  Eugene Kierans & Richard Kaye – Irish Underwater Search and Recovery,

Rose Michael, Royal National Lifeboat Institution- Howth Lifeboat Station.

On the water support was provided by Dun Laoghaire RNLI, Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club, East Wall Water Sports Centre and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit.

The Sea Scouts from 1st Port Dublin and 5th Wicklow (Bray) provided very welcome hot drinks ashore.

The RNLI Water Safety Teams from Howth and Dun Laoghaire were on shore, sharing water safety advice and lifejacket information.