17 August 2023

By Göran R Buckhorn

At the New London Currach Rowers’ annual regatta held in the harbor of New London, Connecticut, on 29 July, the club presented a new trophy to the champion team. It was the Ancient Order of Hibernians, John P. Holland Local Division which sponsored and presented the trophy to the winning team, the Philadelphia Celtic Currach Club.

The Philadelphia club received the trophy, as it said in a press release, as they “showcased their team’s skills and teamwork”.

The regatta took place at the Custom House pier, with the race course along the New London area of the Thames River. The race course was approximately 1 mile out in the harbor with a turn and then 1 mile back.

In the evening, an award ceremony was held at Forty Thieves Irish Pub in Groton. Leaders of the New London Currach Rowers presented medals to crews winning individual races, which included a 4- race, a 4- women race, mixed men and women in 2- and 3-person races, and a 1-man race.

Participating in the New London Regatta this year were clubs from Annapolis, Philadelphia, New London, Boston and Albany. In the North American Curragh Association (NACA) are also teams from Milwaukee, Pittsburg and Leetsdale (Pennsylvania).

The press release from the New London Currach Rowers also read:

The creation of the perpetual trophy from the John P. Holland chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians [AOH] evolved because of the close relationship between the Currach Rowing team and the local chapter of the AOH, both of which aim to support and celebrate Irish heritage.

The Philadelphia Celtic Currach Club will hold the trophy until next year’s currach regatta in New London, when it will be awarded to the 2024 champion team.

Read the article from last year’s regatta here.