| There has been a lot of interest in the boat used in the photos for the launch of this year’s Open Weekend. The Commodore Queen is a 21 foot long Cork yawl, and many people remember her fondly from coastal rowing regattas in the 1980’s and ‘90’s. It is believed she was built by Geary’s in the late 70’s for Commodore Rowing Club in Cobh, and rowed in many Coastal Rowing Association (CRA) regattas for both the Commodore club and later, the Fisherman’s club. The Commodore Queen won countless regattas, and most famously took All- Ireland honours in Sherkin in the early 1980’s. She was also rowed on the River Thames around the same time. In the 1980’s, the CRA decided to move to a one-design, 24 foot long fiberglass boat as there had been no standard design up to this point. Boats used in CRA regattas ranged from 18 to 27 feet, with the longer boats gaining an unfair advantage. Although timber boats continued to be rowed, it was the fiberglass boats that took precedence, and many timber yawls fell out of use. The Commodore Queen ended up in Ferrycarrig in County Wexford where she was rowed until 2010. Unfortunately, after years of service, she ended up in a marsh falling into a state of serious disrepair. Kevin Cummins from the Blackrock Rowing Club in Cork Harbour, happened upon her and decided to bring her home and restore her to pristine condition. She is now being rowed proudly in regattas throughout Cork Harbour by Blackrock Rowing Club, and last year took part in the All-Ireland regatta in CourtMacSherry. There is renewed interest in these beautiful timber craft and it is a pleasure to see the Commodore Queen once again cutting gracefully through the waves in regattas throughout the harbour, and beyond. Cork Harbour Open Day takes place on the 14th and 15th September.  Members of Blackrock Rowing Club, Jack Ahearn, Liam Gosnell and Kevin Cummins meet Minister Simon Coveney T.D. |
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