Brief info
- 5 Days in County Kilkenny, Graiguenamanagh Location, Waterside Guesthouse
- Participants from 4 clubs near Munich and Berlin
- Two 4x+ WinTech Odyssey
- Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir
- 10 locks, one of which is a 2-stage
- 72 rowing kilometres on 4 rowing days
- Excellent all-round care and full board (Eat – Sleep – Row) https://www.irishrowingadventures.com/
What makes rowing in Ireland an adventure? Over 100-year-old small locks that are operated by hand and fit into the 2 controlled foursome just like that! A narrow body of water on which former loads were trodden and the upstream left hand is bounded by a towpath, right hand is lined by large rocks under water and downward current, again and again interspersed with reeds or sometimes fallen trees! Here rowing is not ‘making the course’, but slowness, dexterity and attention to detail. On the wider rivers we experience tidal-dependent water level, current and wind, which sometimes catches us from the wrong side. But all no problem thanks to Paul, Andrew, his son and other helpers who accompany us on the bike or motorboat and open and close locks for us as well as carry food and tools for all our needs. The smartphone is also quickly passed over the edge of the board when you can watch the live stream of the Henley Regatta : We all cheered with the Munich _8 team, which has asserted itself confidently in the first two knockout rounds!
In the evening we processed our experiences with the abundant 3-course menu and also exchanged ideas beyond that : Combining joint rowing and experience. Also on land, because there was the sightseeing trip to Kilkenny and the wonderful pub evening with live music.
The organizer Brian, owner of the guesthouse and co-founder of the Rowing Club, has put together a great overall package that can only be recommended, especially because of the special friendliness of all contributors. Because, as Günter so aptly said to say goodbye: “There are great places everywhere in the world, but it’s the people who make the difference!”
