Kilkenny men undergo gruelling challenge

The inaugural row from Maganey Lock to Borris Lock by a trio of Pat Comerford, Paul Palmer and Pat Sweeney was an outstanding success. The crew enjoyed three wonderful days, taking in some beautiful scenery along the river from Borris, Bagenalstown, Leighlinbridge, Carlow, Tinnahinch, Graignamanagh, Goresbridge as well as their rural hinterlands.

There was such great support for the lads from the public from the very beginning at Maganey Bridge to the very end at St Mullins. The lads were delighted at how well the rowing went at every lock and thanked all the rowers for their contribution to the challenge to date, with special thanks going to Paul and Frances Palmer for all their help and support from the very start of the project.

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Thanks also went to John Murphy (support boatman), Louise Sweeney (medical officer), Bob Chambers (safety officer), Larry Allen and Denis Coughlan (Kilkenny Subaqua), Tom and Seamus Coady and Jimmy Palmer (Canal Lock men), Billy and Paul (Waterways Ireland), Richard Dunne and Martin Comerford (transport crew), Paul O’Donnell (storage facilitator), Paul Donohue and Brian Lyons for their knowledge of the river and Freddie Farrell for his support and advice. They would also like to thank Aoife Kehoe (update administrator) and Yvonne Palmer (fundraiser) during the challenge.

The lads are now getting prepared for the second part of their rowing challenge which is rowing Achill Sound Bay in Mayo on Friday.