The Sullivan family, originally from Ard Mor and which includes Michael and Julia, along with their children Sienna, 14 and Kian, 12, is believed to be the first family in Irish currach rowing to win five different trophies in the annual All-Ireland currach competition held on Sunday in Roundstone.
Although from an area of Connemara which has a long and strong tradition of currach rowing, Michael and Julia only took it up in 2017. Their children followed suit after attending regattas with their parents and have raced in the junior races.
The regatta was hosted by the Coiste lar na gCurrachai (Central Currach Committee ), the league which organises currach racing in Ireland, wth races in men’s three hand, ladies' three hand, Fear agus Bean, men’s and women’s naomhóg (four hand ), and juniors.
Michael Sullivan won the men’s 3 hand along with fellow crew Máirtin Einniú and Eoin Coyle, before going on to win the men’s four hand naomhóg race with fellow crew Máirtin Einniú, Eoin Coyle and Michael Ó Cualáin.
Winners of the four hand Naomhóg women's race were Julia Devane Sulllivan and her 14 year old daughter Sienna Sullivan, along with Annie Lee and Leah Coyle, while the winners of the junior race was Kian Sullivan (12 ), Sean Sheehy and Ellie Power Farrell.
