Skibb rowers will star in an art exhibition

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

IT’S a club that has made huge waves on the water but Skibbereen Rowing Club is set to make a big splash on land over the next few months also.

Having picked up the 2015 West Cork Sports Club of the Year award last Saturday night at the Celtic Ross Hotel, Skibbereen Rowing Club is now set to star in an art exhibition at the West Cork Arts Centre.

Starting on Friday, January 22nd and running through until April 2nd, ‘Row: A view of Skibbereen Rowing Club through the lens of Debbie Heaphy’ is certain to prove a big hit with local sports fans.

This particular project has been a labour of love for Debbie Heaphy, who has been recording the activities of Skibbereen Rowing Club for the past four years, often accompanying coach Dominic Casey in his launch on early morning training sessions. 

‘Having spent the last four years with these athletes, I am totally in awe of the resilience, focus and commitment of these young people. I have watched them strive to achieve what, at times, would seem to be unreachable goals,’ Debbie explained.

Last year was an exceptional year, even by the club’s own standards, as brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan qualified for this summer’s Olympics, while 17 Skibbereen athletes rowed for Ireland.

This upcoming art exhibition is a compilation of what Debbie regards as her best photographs from her time at the club. 

‘I hope to portray through the exhibition, the intensity of training and the essence and sense of place of the Ilen River and also a snap shot of the unique and extraordinary journey of the boys and girls from Skibbereen who are determined to take on the world,’ she commented.

This exhibition opens to the public on Thursday, January 21st at 7pm, and all are welcome to come along. 

A limited edition publication of photographs and essays accompanies the exhibition and sales of this publication and the photographs on exhibition will go towards raising funds for the club.