Tribesmen Rowing Club - Galway | Irish Rowing Clubs | Row HQ

Tribesmen Rowing Club was formed in 1976 and is based at Earls Island, Galway, H91 D9CV, on the River Corrib. It supports lifelong participation and currently offers recreational rowing, masters competition, independent rowing and adult learn-to-row programmes.

The club was launched at Kenny's Art Gallery with the president of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union and the mayor of Galway in attendance. Its first committee was led by president Leo Wall and captain Sean Heavey, and St Joseph's College hosted the new club before it had premises of its own.

Tribesmen won its first national championship in its second competitive year when the junior eight, equivalent to the later intermediate grade, beat Garda by two feet. The club went to Henley in 1980 and returned in 1985, reaching the Thames Cup quarter-finals after wins over Reading University and Queen's.

Later domestic success included junior eight and four titles in 1994 and strong women's squads in the early and mid-2000s. The club history identifies Siobhan McCrohan's senior open and lightweight single-sculls double in 2015 as its most recent championship wins at the time of writing.

Tribesmen reshaped Galway's Head of the River and ran the Tribes Head from 1978 to 2015. Its history describes the meeting as Ireland's largest event of its kind during that period.

The adult learn-to-row course begins with technique on an indoor rowing machine before participants move into a stable four-person boat on the Corrib. Those certified as competent beginners by the head coach may apply to join as learners.

The club's rowers have represented Ireland at junior, under-23 and elite levels. Its present recreational focus also includes touring, and Rowing Ireland recognised member Peter Cassidy with its 2024 Rowability Award.