Athlunkard Boat Club - Limerick | Irish Rowing Clubs | Row HQ

Athlunkard Boat Club is based at O'Dwyer's Bridge, Athlunkard Street, Limerick. A waterways heritage survey places the club on the Abbey River, while Rowing Ireland classifies it as a river club in Munster.

Founded in 1898, the club began when boys from the parish decided to establish a boat club. Athlunkard's own history says the original clubhouse was built in 1926; a Limerick council listing dates that building to 1925.

The club says it was the first Limerick club to introduce women's rowing, doing so in the early 1970s. It now caters for male and female members aged 12 and over at competitive and recreational levels, with Learn to Row classes run with Rowing Ireland.

Recent development has included a new boathouse, refurbishment of the original clubhouse, new rowing boats and indoor training equipment. The clubhouse is also used by local schools for weekly physical education classes.

Athlunkard won the Irish Senior Eight Championship in 1913 and 1923, then added Intermediate and Maiden Eight titles in the 1940s. Maxine and Claire Murphy became the club's first international rowers, representing Ireland at the Home Internationals in 1985 and 1987.

The club also offers structured entry points away from racing. Rowing Ireland scheduled a six-week Rise & Row indoor course at Athlunkard in 2026 for beginners and people seeking to improve their technique and fitness.