Welome to this months feature of our website
THE HOPE ROW
Started in 2013 by our then Club Secretary David Doyle. Year on year since it has exceeded the expectations that we as a club had on the day David came to the club committee with the idea.
To date, the Hope Row has raised a phenomenal amount of money for several charities. The current grand total being €55,249.00!
So how did the Hope Row come about? We caught up off season with David and went back to the beginning of the story.
“The Hope row started in 2013. The event was originally started to raise funds for St Michaels, Cystic Fibrosis Ward in Crumlin hospital. Two members of the club, Kenneth Faye and Claire Ryan, had a young son Tadgh who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. The club wanted to do something in support of the family. A number of ideas were thrown about and it was decided a charity row outside the rowing season would be the answer, and in doing so, we could bring in the community of Ringsend and all East Coast clubs.
Our club put a new cup in place and gave Kenneth and Claire the honour of naming it, That’s how ‘Cupan Dóchas’ – The gaelic for Hope Cup was chosen.
In order to ensure the Hope Row took place, we needed some help from other club members,volunteers, sponsors etc. Without hesitation, Dublin Port Company and Dyno Rod came up trumps for us, and to this day, they remain the main sponsors of The Hope Row. Their financial support ensures all participants receive a medal on the day and are well fed and watered – Rowers, Runners, Walkers even the spectators are get a belly full.
Whilst the Hope Cup is a Stella Maris cup, it is very much about all the East Coast clubs getting involved and supporting this worthy event. Each of the clubs who take part get their opportunity to pick a charity close to their hearts as each year the charity recipient changes.
It is a collective effort where all clubs can enjoy each other’s company on a fun day out, not like the competitive manner of our East Coast regattas. Part of the fun at the Hope Row is that we opened it up to the whole rowing community and it’s family, friends and supporters – so for those that do not row, we added the Hope Run / Walk, meaning all non rowers could participate and more importantly help us to raise further much needed funds by filling up a sponsor card. As we say to all involved, ‘every penny counts’.
Aswell as organising the above, David along with the club committee, also has to ensure that the rowing course on the river is laid out correctly and runs smoothly, liaising with Dublin Port and local boat owners to ensure there are no obstacles to overcome on the day!
It must not go unsaid, that it really is a thoroughly enjoyable row for all taking on some of the best sights Dublin Port and the River Liffey have to offer.
Our Short course consists of a start line at our club house, up towards the 3 Arena / Eastlink, through our ever changing Dockland area of new high rise buildings, the Jeanie Johnston and Cille Airne boats, past the Ferryman, a Dublin pub steeped in history built in 1780, right up to the Custom House Buildings regarded as one of the Jewels in Dublin City’s architectural Crown, completed in 1791, 10 years in the making. Here all boats turn and row and down back to the Stella Maris clubhouse.
The long course has the same start line but takes you in the opposite direction right out through the pulse of Dublin Port, into the Bay, turning at the lighthouse and back up river past our club to join in on the “short course” up to the Custom House and back.