A Brief History

The first recording rowing race on Belfast waters : -

 "in the year 1790 eighteen of Belfast watermen raced in six per oared boats each with a coxswain, from the Town Dock, at the foot of high street to Holywood. " The winners.. received a guinea each from the Sovereign"

The first Rowing Club in Belfast was the Northern Rowing Club 1842. Many other clubs were formed, and then declined. Walter Mitchell puts the origin of the present club of around 1880. It has moved home several times and has been at it's present location at Hay Island, Stranmillis, since 1976. Currently it is one of the largest active rowing club in Ireland (there are over 100 rowing clubs in Ireland) and competes at every level not only in Ireland but also throughout UK, Europe, and the USA.

The Club has won many Irish championships, both male & female, but perhaps it's finest achievement was when the men's senior coxed four won "THE BRITANNIA CHALLENGE CUP" at Henley Royal Regatta in 1994 - and still holds the record time to the barrier for this event.

The club has been lucky enough to have the first 100 years of it's full history documented in the book, "Belfast Rowing Club" written by Mr Walter Mitchell.

Copies available from the club on request @ £20 each 

Email: belfastrowing@googlemail.com