Making a big splash for the Clarecastle Regatta

THE Clarecastle Regatta, a popular annual summer event in years gone by, is being revitalised this year, bringing new life and activity to what was once the port for Ennis.
Clarecastle GAA Club are organising a family fun day and regatta on the River Fergus and its banks to take place on Saturday, July 10. In the past two months, there has been an increased level of activity on the river in Clarecastle with the emergence of the Fergus Rowing Club, which has already attracted up to 70 members.
Donal Carey of Clarecastle GAA Club and the Fergus Rowing Club, said all hands are on deck organising the first Clarecastle Regatta in 16 years. “We want to provide fun and healthy activities for the people of Clarecastle and surrounding areas and that’s where the idea for the rowing club grew from. With crews out in currachs seven nights a week now and beginner’s sessions on Saturday morning, there is a real buzz around again. We wanted to capture some of that enthusiasm and organise a Regatta day, with plenty of fun-filled activities,” he said.
The day’s events will start with a 10k roadrace/walk in aid of Sr Mary Barry’s missionary work in a Kenyan village. “All runners or walkers should meet in the car park at Clarecastle Church at 12pm. We’re hoping people from surrounding areas will join in too for this worthy cause,” Donal added.
After the road race at 2.30pm, the regatta will be officially opened with a traditional blessing of the boats by local clergy.
A string of fun-filled activities will continue thereafter, including a dog show on the harbour at Clarecastle. “The dog show is open to dogs of all kinds, thoroughbred or otherwise. There will be a number of different categories, some of which are bound to be lots of fun, including a best six legs section for dogs and their owners, a prettiest bitch category and the champion dog category,” he explained.
There will also be a duck race, where people will release their favourite rubber duckies on to the river, with the fastest finisher winning a prize.
“Throughout the afternoon, there will be bouncy castles, face-painting, a wheel of fortune, a number of different games, a range of food available including a pig on a spit, burgers, ice-creams and bagels. The local gun club will also host a clay pigeon shoot, with plenty of prizes for winners. We will also run a bonny baby and best-dressed mammy competition,” Donal said.
All profits raised on the day will go to Sr Barry’s mission.
From 4pm, there will be a series of currach races, including a local race with members of the new Fergus Rowing Club. “The winner of this race will receive a trophy donated by the Scanlan family from Clarecastle, who lost a family member on the River Fergus in 1994,” he said.
The West Clare Currach Club, as part of their series of races around the county, will also have a points race on the river and it will be their first time racing on the River Fergus.
“We are all looking forward to the day’s events. We are hoping to build on this for next year and make it a very special annual funday for Clarecastle and the surrounding area. All we need to make this work is nice weather and plenty of people to come to the events,” Donal commented.