Skiff Racing

 Wicklow Rowing Club will hold their Annual Rowing Regatta on the August Bank holiday Monday.

Monday 1st August beginning @ 12.30pm.

Race Sponsors:

Senior All-Ireland Open Skiff Race - ULSTERBANK for the Ulsterbank & M&J Quinn Cups

Junior Race - CONWAY SHIPPING for the Billly Cleary Cup

Minor Race - MARTSWORTH for the Vincent Keogh Memorial Cup

Under 21 Race - GAIL & MORRIS DUNNE

Senior Ladies Race - HALPINS BRIDGE CAFE

Junior Ladies Race - THE GRAND HOTEL for the Grand Hotel Cup

Under 18 Ladies Race - WICKLOW & DISTRICT CREDIT UNION

Juveiles(under 16) Race - ROBERT DUNNE ELECTRICAL LTD.

Under 14 Race - GAIL & MORRIS DUNNE

Mixed Race - THE TRIM BIN BARBERS

Skiff History

Clinker skiff type boats were once one of the most numerous type of working boats found along the eastern seaboard of Ireland. They were recorded in 1874 by historian E.W. Holdsworth, where he noted that ‘The smaller boats employed for the line-fishery are of the same style as the Norway yawl, sharp at both ends.’.

Skiff racing has its origins in the occupation of hobbling. Hobblers were freelance pilots, and competition was strong to be the first to board the approaching ships. Not only did the successful hobblers receive payment to pilot the ships into port but they were also awarded the contract for discharging/loading those ships whilst in port.

The skiffs worked mainly between Lambay Island just north of Dublin Bay and Wicklow Head where they required considerable skill on behalf of the oarsmen. The long tradition of rowing is now carried on through the rowing clubs affiliated to East Coast Rowing Council. These clubs can be found around the old Dublin pilot stations of Ringsend & East Wall in Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow, and Courtown