Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club, locally known as “the Jes,” is a proud school-based rowing club with a storied legacy dating back to 1934. Nestled on the banks of the iconic River Corrib in the heart of Galway City, the club is uniquely located on the campus of the University of Galway, where its rowers launch directly into one of Ireland’s most historic and scenic urban rowing stretches. With a tradition steeped in Jesuit values of excellence, compassion, and service, the Jes has produced national champions, international competitors, and Olympians, all while fostering a deep love for the sport and the river that defines it.
The founding of the Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club in October 1934 was the result of a collaborative effort between committed students and Jesuit leadership, who wanted to create an organized school-based rowing programme on the Corrib. Central to its early development was Fr. Eddie Diffley (SJ), remembered as one of the founding fathers of the club and a driving force in promoting school rowing in Galway. He also played a key role in helping to establish rowing in St Joseph’s College (the Bish), strengthening inter-school competition and deepening the rowing culture in the city. Rowing Ireland has recognized the efforts Fr Eddie Diffley (SJ) made in promoting schoolboy rowing in Galway by naming the cup awarded to the winners of the Men’s Junior 18 pairs at the National Championships each year in his honor. The healthy competition Fr. Eddie Diffley (SJ) fostered between the Jes and the Bish is still prevalent today, with each club’s first eight racing annually for the historic Anderson Cup at Galway Regatta.
The Boys’ program has enjoyed many successes over the years. Their clubs first stand out national championship win came in 1974, when a crew won both the Junior 8s and Junior 4s categories. That same year, the eight oarsmen who claimed those titles went on to represent Ireland at the Home Internationals. Since then, Jes boys’ crews have continued to achieve great success, winning numerous national championships and producing rowers who have competed internationally for Ireland. Many Jes graduates have also rowed at an elite level. Notably, Cormac Folan represented Ireland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Despite these accomplishments, the Jes has not yet reclaimed the Junior Men’s 8 Championship of Ireland title since 1974. In 2024, they narrowly missed out on victory, losing by just 0.01 seconds to city rivals the Bish, a heartbreaking defeat that fuelled their determination throughout the 2025 season. Coached by Fiona Lawless, Noel Hume (club chairperson), Frank O’Brien, and Redmond O’Brien, the 2025 crew enjoyed a historic year. Rower Paul Schofield represented Ireland at the U19 World Championships, and his pair partner, Oisín O’Connaire, competed at the U19 Coupe de la Jeunesse. Together, they won the national title in the Junior Pairs after a close contest with Neptune. Later that weekend, the pair joined forces with Eoghan O’Connell, Jack Mannion, both Ireland representatives at the Home International Regatta, and cox Arthur O’Malley to win the Junior Four national title, once again narrowly defeating Neptune in a close race. Adding to the club’s success, the Junior 16 Quad won bronze at the National Championships, a promising sign that the future of Jes rowing remains very bright.
Fr. Murt Curry (SJ) played a pivotal role in introducing girls’ rowing to Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club in 1985. Succeeding Fr. Eddie Dively (SJ) as head of the club, he actively championed the development of a women’s program, taking charge just as the first generation of Jes girls began training on the Corrib. The initial group of rowers trained in modest conditions, steadily developing their skills with support from the wider club community. By 1989, the program had matured enough for the girls to win the Women’s Junior 18 8+ Championship of Ireland, firmly establishing women’s rowing as a central part of the club’s identity. In 2020, Jes alumna Aifric Keogh won a bronze medal in the Women’s Coxless Four at the Tokyo Olympics — a defining moment in the club’s history that inspired a new generation of girls to pursue the sport.
The success of Jes women’s rowing has continued in recent years, with numerous Irish Championship titles in sweep boats. Most recently, in 2023 Anna Trench and Avril O’Toole delivered a commanding victory in the Women’s Junior 18 Pair after an undefeated season. Following the achievements of the 2025 regatta season, there is no doubt that the future of girls’ rowing at Coláiste Iognáid is bright. The current girls’ crews are coached by Jes alumni Ultan O’Toole and Fiona Kelly. Among the standout athletes is Grace Faherty, who holds the Concept2 Irish records for 15-16-year-olds in the 500 m and 6000 m categories, as well as the world record for 13-14-year-olds in the 500 m. In addition, the Women’s Junior 16 8 earned bronze at the 2025 National Championships and will undoubtedly be strong contenders for the title in the years ahead.
In the 2026 season, the club will continue to strive for excellence on the water while upholding values of compassion and empathy beyond it, encouraging every rower to become the best version of themselves, both in rowing and in life.
