On Sunday, 4th May 2025, the Gráine Mhaol crew of Mayo Dragon Boat Club travelled to Athy, Co. Kildare, to take part in the Athy Dragon Boat Regatta — a vibrant event held on the scenic River Barrow in the heart of the town.

Hosted at Emily Square (off Barrow Quay), the regatta brought together clubs from across the country for a day of competition, camaraderie, and celebration of the sport we love. The racing course spanned approximately 200 metres, with free-standing starts ensuring thrilling sprints and tight finishes.  The event was well run as per usual by the Irish Dragon Boat Association.

Our own Adrienn Harto was undergoing assessment as a Racing Helm on the day and performed brilliantly. She is well on the way towards completing the required hours to earn her Race Helm Certification.

The day kicked off with a Crew Managers Meeting kicking off at 10:00 am, Followed by safety briefings at 10:30 am, and Racing from 11:00 am to 4:45 pm, Culminating in a lively prize-giving ceremony at 5:00 pm.

Race crews and their supporters appreciated the clear coordination and the welcoming atmosphere created by the event organisers, especially Julie Doyle and the Irish Dragon Boat Association.

VIEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT IN OUR GALLERY HERE

Each team was required to have a minimum of 16 paddlers, a drummer, and a helm. The Gráine Mhaol crew showed great teamwork and spirit, navigating the course with determination — all while enjoying the friendly but fierce competition.  Our crew had 18 paddlers – 16 Graine Mhaol, 2 from Carlow, 4 from Limerick
and 1 drummer from Carlow (Adrienn helming).

Coffee and refreshments unit kept energy levels up throughout the day.

With medals awarded across the Open, Women’s, and U18’s categories, the regatta was a fantastic showcase of Ireland’s growing dragon boating community. We were proud to represent Graine Mhaol on the water and connect with fellow paddlers from around the country.

Well done to all our crew, and thank you to the organisers for a memorable day in Athy.

VIEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT IN OUR GALLERY HERE