Derry Clarke Supports Vartry RC Bid to Win World’s Longest Rowing Race
Derry Clarke Supports Vartry RC Bid to Win World’s Longest Rowing Race
At the launch of Vartry Rowing Club’s 2016 Celtic Challenge in aid of Console were Michael Williams; Tommy Hamill; Garratt Whittington; David Conroy, Flogas; Derry Clarke, TV chef; James Byrne; Massimo de Luca; John Byrne and Ed Daly. Front row: George O’Brien, Ray Howes; Paddy Byrne, Karl O’Brien, Karl Canavan and Wally McKenna.
At the launch of Vartry Rowing Club’s 2016 Celtic Challenge in aid of Console were (l/r) TV Chef Derry Clarke with Vartry RC club members Karl Canavan; Garratt Whittington; Massimo de Luca and David Conroy of Flogas Ireland at the launch of Vartry
TV Chef Derry Clarke and David Conroy of Flogas Ireland at launch of Vartry Rowing Clubs’ 2016 Celtic Challenge in aid of Console.
Celebrity TV chef Derry Clarke and David Conroy from club sponsor Flogas Ireland were happy to ‘row in’ and help Vartry Rowing Club in Wicklow officially launch its campaign to raise much needed funds for Console, the suicide prevention and intervention organisation, by taking part in the 2016 Celtic Challenge, the world’s longest rowing race. An intrepid squad of twelve from the senior men’s team will be attempting to row their way to victory in the gruelling, non-stop, biennial 96 mile (150 km) race from Arklow to Aberystwyth in Wales from Sat 30th April to Sunday 1st May.
The well-known TV chef has been a keen supporter of the Club for many years; he and his boat, ‘SallyAnne’ have been their main backup support for the Celtic Challenge and he will be doing the same again this year. Derry said, “I have great admiration for this Club and the fundraising that they do for so many great charities. So it’s my honour and pleasure to be involved again this year, particularly it’s for Console, a charity that is very close to my own heart. In my opinion, the Celtic Challenge is one of the toughest physical and mental challenges out there, it’s like running three marathons back to back so I have the height of respect for what they are attempting to do and fingers crossed they win!”
25 teams will be entering the Challenge this year, a mix of all-male, all-female and mixed teams. Vartry RC has ‘form’, not only with the Celtic Challenge but also with the tireless work they do in raising money for several charities. They came second in the same race in 2014, raising over €10,000 for the RNLI in the process. In the 2012 race, they were successful in raising €11,000 for the Marie Keating Foundation In addition, in 2015, four club members were part of a squad that rowed from Dunmore East in Waterford to France and helped raise €50,000 for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
The Club has two boats and hopes to acquire a third next year but is still seeking a home base. In the meantime, they train beside Wicklow Sailing Club on the South Quay. Founding member George O’Brien said that the squad has now training three times a week with a regime that includes running and cycling as well as rowing in the dark. “This is a non-stop race in which four team members’ row in relays at one time. While the squad can rest in the accompanying safety boat, there’ll be no sleep for anyone during the crossing so it’s also a real test of mental stamina but our lads are totally up for the Challenge. Our sincere thanks to Flogas for all their support this year and in previous years.”