About the club
Castleconnell Boat Club — founded 1983
A community club on the Shannon for over 43 years. We run programmes for everyone the river makes room for — and we hold both halves of the sport equally: a path to high performance for those who want it, and rowing for fun, fitness and company for everyone else.
Two halves of the same sport
Some of our members are training for nationals and international regattas. Others come down for the morning row, the indoor sessions in winter, and the company. Both groups share the same boat shed, the same coaches, and most of the same equipment — and the club is stronger for being both at once. There's no obligation to compete to stay a member, and there's a clear pathway to performance for those who want it.
Programmes for every age
- Junior camps (ages 11–17) — our Easter, summer and October mid-term camps introduce young people to the sport. Many of our junior squad started here. Insurance requires age 11 by the start of camp.
- Junior pathway — after camps + a six-week taster, juniors join the squad and learn both sculling and sweep, moving from singles up to eights as they develop. The route through to national-level racing is the same one used by past Irish team rowers from CCBC.
- Adult learn-to-row — structured introductory blocks for adults coming to the sport for the first time. Coached, on the water, no prior fitness assumed.
- Returning rowers & masters — for those who rowed in school or college and want to come back, or who are taking up rowing as a master (over 27, in rowing terms). Race or train just for fitness — your call.
- Competitive squads — from junior 14 through senior, with regular regattas through the season and Heads in winter.
Facilities
The club has recently extended its facilities with a new boat shed, letting us store and use more equipment. Our original boat house is now home to ergometers, exercise bikes, and a small amount of strength and conditioning equipment, available to members under coach supervision.
Indoor erg and bike classes run year-round and are open to members at all levels — including non-rowing fitness sessions during the off-water months.
Where we train
A 5 km stretch of the Shannon between O'Brien's Bridge and World's End — flatwater on most days, sheltered from the prevailing wind, and one of the better training waters in the country.
Club rules and documents
Club rules, safeguarding policies and governance documents live in the members area. They're maintained there so members always see the current version without hunting through an archive.
Go to members area →