Lough Rinn to host major international regatta this weekend

This Saturday will see the eyes of the Irish and British rowing community firmly focused on Leitrim and specifically Lough Rinn as the Leitrim County Council backed venue hosts the Home International Regatta for the very first time. 

This is the first major international regatta to be held at Lough Rinn. 'The Homes' is an annual challenge match between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. Each of the nations host the event in a four year rotation and for the past 32 years Ireland has hosted the event at the National Rowing Centre in Inniscarra in Cork so it is a massive coup to have Lough Rinn awarded the regatta for 2023.

It's a credit to both Leitrim County Council and Rowing Ireland for the work that has been done at the venue since it opened in 2014.

The nations, which comprise four separate teams (Senior Men, Senior Women, Junior Men and Junior Women) are selected annually by each nation’s Team Selectors and comprises approximately 60 athletes and 10 coaches and support staff. 

Points are awarded in each category of boat and every race counts towards combined team trophies which are awarded at the end of the Regatta.

The Home Internationals provide an opportunity for rowers and coaches alike to gain their first taste of international competition. Rowers selected are usually one rung below the High Performance set-ups for each of the nations and is the first step on the ladder for many of the rowers who eventually go on to represent their countries at World and Olympic Regattas. 

Ireland's Olympic Champion Paul O'Donovan made his international debut at 'The Homes' in Cardiff back in 2008 with his brother Gary where they won the Junior Quad Sculls that day. Coincidentally, this regatta in Cardiff in 2008 was also the international debut for Carrick oarswoman Dympna Kelly before she made the step up to the High Performance system in 2009.

The Regatta is expected to draw large crowds to the area from Thursday onwards and racing will begin in the early morning and run until late afternoon.