Liffey 'All in a Row marathon challenge raises valuable funds for RNLI
Liffey 'All in a Row marathon challenge raises valuable funds for RNLI
Lifeboats News Release
The 'All In A Row 2018' event on the capital’s River Liffey on 1 December was supported by teams rowing 40 boats including skiffs, kayaks, canoes and currachs to exceed a 1,000km in eight hours, raising €12,000 for the RNLI and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit
Starting from St. Patrick’s Rowing Club at the Tom Clarke Bridge (formerly the East Link Bridge) and finishing at the Ha’penny Bridge, the Liffey was busy with lots of rowing crews, kayaks, canoes and currachs. Lord Mayor Nial Ring joined a crew on one of the skiffs, and completed his turn in style.
The challenge was undertaken with the aim of showcasing the River Liffey as one of Dublin’s best amenities, while raising funds for the water related charities, the RNLI and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
A wreath laying ceremony by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, took place to commemorate all those who have lost their lives through drowning. Pat O’Connor, Trumpeter with the Communication Workers Union Brass Band played the Last Post on the Sean O’Casey Bridge.
The RNLI Howth Lifeboat Education Team delivered the RNLI Respect The Water message to 350 pupils from city schools, and the pupils visited the Atlantic 85 lifeboat which was berthed alongside the Jeanie
Johnston replica famine ship.
Many Dublin rowing clubs have their home on the River Liffey and are a regular sight on the water. At the port end of the river is St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Stella Maris Rowing Club, Dublin Currach Rowers Union,
East Wall Water Sports Group and Poolbeg Yacht and Boat club. Ringsend Basin is home to the
Plurabelle Paddlers (dragon boats) and the Dublin Viking Dragon boats. At the other end of the city beyond Heuston Station there are many river rowing clubs and kayaking clubs, including Phoenix Rowing Club.
Commenting on the event, the All In a Row Crew said, ‘Everyone knows the River Liffey but most people don’t know how far it stretches and how many rowing groups use it regularly. There is a vibrant boating community on the River Liffey and these clubs regard it as the living artery of the city and one of Dublin’s
great and undervalued amenities.’
‘After the beautiful summer we’ve had, we know that people are drawn to the water, whether on the coast
or inland to enjoy different water sports. The Liffey is an undervalued and underused resource that is right under people’s noses and we want to encourage them to use it and to use it safely. From school children right up to seasoned rowers, this is a great opportunity to draw people down to the Liffey and learn about water safety and the fun activities they can do on the water all year round.’
Crew, supporters and sponsors raised through the GoFundMe page a fantastic €12,000 to be divided between RNLI Lifeboat Howth and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Ends
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
