Rowers descend on Corrib for annual Galway Head

In a weekend of festivals, Galway rowing stages its annual Head of the River on Saturday.

The Mayor of Galway, Terry O’Flaherty, Paul Walsh of sponsor Boston Scientific, and Pat Morgan, vice president of NUI Galway, will be this year’s starters for the event which boasts 1,000 oarspeople from Ireland.

Jointly hosted by Tribesmen Rowing Club and NUI Galway Boat Club, the Head is Galway’s biggest annual rowing event with 300 racing over the 3.2 mile course, from the mouth of Lough Corrib to below the Quincentennial Bridge.

The women’s eights and men’s fours Head will be started at 10.30am by the Mayor, who, according to the committee, represents the many Galway residents whose voluntary efforts each year ensure the Galway Head of the River is enjoyed by rowers from all over the country.

The Scullers head at 1pm will be started by Paul Walsh of title sponsor Boston Scientific Galway, representing the support of the event’s many sponsors, while the men’s eights and women’s fours head will be started by Dr Pat Morgan on behalf of NUI Galway whose facilities have been used throughout the history of the event.

Spectators can enjoy the racing from the grounds of NUI Galway, either upstream or downstream of the Quinncentennial Bridge. The prizegiving takes place in the College Bar, NUI Galway, at 6pm.