A brief history

The first Wicklow Regatta took place in September of 1878 and one of the core events were the rowing races. The first rowing races took place prior to 1878 and were a means by which unemployed sailors and distressed fishermen, suffering from bad weather and bad catches, could be relieved from the grip of poverty. A subscription was raised to provide prize funds for rowing races. In this way the proud men felt that it was their own efforts which earned them the relief funds. When the first regatta came about the rowing races were incorporated into the events and became a central part of the programme. 'The greatest success attended the first Wicklow Regatta - the weather could hardly be more favourable for aquatic amusements. There are few watering places in Ireland better suited for a regatta than in Wicklow' ran the report in the Wicklow Newsletter and County Advertiser, September 7th 1878.

Rowing races winning crews carried well known local names like Kelly, Hayden, Kavanagh and Farrell. Mr. McPhail won the swimming race, and Mr. Ellis was placed first in the sailing race. A duck hunt, tug of war, a military band and a pyrotechnics display rounded off a fine day of events. The Freeman's Journal ran a piece on the first regatta also: ' The gentlemen who had inaugurated the regatta deserve every support and commendation.' These were men of the calibre of Earl Fitzwilliam, Captain R. Halpin, W. F. McPhail, W. Desaix and Captain J. Neill. The regatta was funded by a subscription raised locally and those who contributed ranged from Earl Fitzwilliam with a donation of 10.00 at the top of the list to Joseph Byrne at the bottom of the list donating 2/6-.

 

The 50th Wicklow Regatta was held in August of 1928 in three days of glorious sunshine and a strong cold breeze on the seafront during Bank Holiday Monday: 'while the foreshore was a cold spot for spectators and more especially for the swimmers in the gala, the full programme of local and swimming and diving events were gone through - there was a good crowd in the town; several special trains brought large numbers from the city and suburbs, motors and buses were well patronised.' Torrential rain fell after 6pm which dampened the enthusiasm of the spectators. A great deal of fun was in evidence during the shovel race which was held between the quay labourers. The yacht race was won by 'Bonita' and 'Fodhia' won the 25 footer race. The 'Mary Rosaleen' was placed first in the trawler race. Dun Laoghaire emerged victors in the rowing races: 'the award to the Dun Laoghaire men was locally very popular,' commented the Wicklow People newspaper. The 'Lark' won the fishermen's race. Swimming awards went to C. Sillery, B. McCormack, Miss Boyce, C. Higginbotham, J. M'Kee, J. H. Morton, Miss E. O' Neill, Miss L. Quinn and Miss H. Heeney: 'the young McCormacks’ upheld the name of Wicklow in grand style as well as O' Neill, so that with such promising swimmers in the new swimming club, matters should progress well in the future in this respect. The INF (Irish National Foresters) and Carriglea Bands discoursed with selections of music in the forenoon and afternoon respectively.' The fireworks were an unfortunate victim of the torrential downpour but locals and visitors packed out the Excelsior cinema and 'proved a great success.'

 

The 100th Wicklow Regatta took place in August 1978. This was the year that Catherine Heaslip lifted the Regatta Queen trophy in a close competition which also featured Norma Scanlon and Sharon Vize. Catherine was pictured in the Wicklow People Newspaper feature which included Noel 'The Cannibal' Brennan with a young Elizabeth Egan in his arms, Billy Murphy, Frank Conway, Denis Teevan, Tom Millane, Ronald Phillips, Veronica Dunne, Margaret and Elizabeth McClosky, Patricia Carton, Myles Doran, Lorraine 'Dancing Queen' Gill and Pat 'Coco the Clown' Davis. The scouts took first prize in the parade which was led by St. Patrick's Pipe Band, Wicklow. The band has put in an appearance at every regatta since it's foundation in late 1944, quite an achievement for a local voluntary organisation. The local paper commented: 'such an enormous crowd was never seen before on the Murrough.' Michael Kelly won the Soapbox Derby as did John Paul Corkish. Wally Hill was the victor in the Father's Race. The Swimming Club races were won by Claire McNemara, Mikie Byrne, Mairead Carroll and Michelle Lambert. The big event of the regatta was the Bank Holiday Monday Skiff Races. A different dimension was added for the 100th celebrations. There were seven races to run with ten crews taking part. Earlier in the day competitors and boats with trucks assembled at the Grand Hotel for a spectacular parade, again led to the seafront by St. Patrick's Pipe Band. One skiff was decorated like a Viking Longboat complete with a dragon head. The local crews went on to win the Intermediate, Junior and Senior Skiff Races. The walking race was won by Charlie Melia and the team event was won by Tom Dunne, Pat Davis, and David Earls. The Marion Boys 1960 beat the Referees in the soccer match, Brendan Flynn won the Car treasure Hunt and Fossett's Circus drew large crowds. 300 children turned out for Children's Day which included a Treasure Hunt, Fancy Dress Ball, a disco, a pet show and a doll and arts models competition. The RNLI Ladies Guild held a cake and souvenir sale as the Fishery Protection Vessel 'Grainne' put in an appearance in the harbour. There was also a Red Cross demonstration, a Kart Race and Golf Competition which was won by Paddy Kavanagh. Star Trek won the junior soccer and Eddie O' Neill took first Place in the Watson Sea Angling Club Competition. Vincent Byrne emerged victor in the Raft Race beating the scouts. Wicklow Sailing Club also hosted sailing events in what was afterwards described as 'Wicklow Regatta the best yet.' by the local Wicklow People newspaper. There was the usual fireworks display and a Grand Cabaret to round off the programme. A big highlight was the visit of the Maelgwn Male Voice Choir who would become regular visitors to the town. The first ever 'Young at Heart' night for senior citizens was held in 1978. Anne Lait, Chairperson of Wicklow Regatta thanked her hard working committee of Bob Jackson, John Conway, Marie Jameson, David Barron, Leo Doyle, Patricia Byrne, Philip Duffy, Christine Dunne, Pearl Jackson, Pat Davis and Frank Fallon. There was just one minor incident which took place on the Sunday that grabbed unfavourable headlines, Regatta Chairperson Anne Lait, Regatta Queen Catherine Heaslip and  Commander Brunicardi of the 'LE Grainne' while sailing in a dingy in the harbour were bombarded by a group of youths throwing eggs: 'Everyone concerned was most annoyed' according to the Wicklow People newspaper of Friday August 11th 1978.

 

Courtesy of Stan J.O' Reilly. Wicklow Historical Society. 2010.