Bish oarsmen past and present and their families gathered in Galway Rowing club, in the heart of Rowing Country, to formally launch their much-anticipated inaugural Yearbook 2023.
Club President George Finnegan shared with the crowded hall, the herculean effort of committee members to make this day a reality and thanked the businesses of Galway for their support of the club, a century old institution with roots deeply embedded in the fabric of the city.
The book is a mix of nostalgic memories and accounts of each of the age groups currently competing with the Bish. There are well crafted pieces including those by Neville Maxwell, president of Rowing Ireland and former Bish oarsman, Matthew Gallagher another alumnus who is currently on a rowing scholarship at California Berkely and much decorated former rower Fionnan Tolan, currently based with Rowing Ireland in Cork and hoping to qualify for Paris 2024, to mention but a few.
There is a further 30-year reflection by club legend Padraig Lohan who tells of the highs, lows, laughs, and tears he encountered over the years and a standout piece titled “A salute to the women of Bish Rowing – past and present” by Margaret Breen (Maugs ).
The president in his speech spoke about how the culmination of the book brought out the absolute best of what the Bish spirit is about and once again spoke volumes about the community spirit and sense of ownership which never dims despite the passage of time.
The book would make a very unique Christmas gift to any past oarsman and is available to purchase in the school office during school hours or by emailing the club secretary at [email protected].
