Muckross rowers strike gold at World Masters in Slovenia

Former Olympic rower Paul Griffin was among a triumphant contingent from Muckross Rowing Club that secured two gold medals at the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Bled, Slovenia.

The international event, held from September 9 to 13, saw over 4,700 rowers from 51 countries competing in the largest regatta in global rowing.
Building on years of dedicated training, Muckross recorded historic all-club victories in both the Masters C and Masters D coxed four events. On the opening day of racing, the Masters C crew featuring Paul Kennedy, Brendan O’Neill, John Buckley, and Paul Griffin crossed the line first to claim gold.
The club double was completed in the Masters D category when Jim Breen joined O’Neill, Buckley, and Griffin to secure a second gold medal. Both winning crews were coxed by Philomena Burrows of London-based Marlow Rowing Club.
Further highlights from the Slovenian waters included two impressive second-place finishes for Muckross oarsman Marko Tot, who competed in both the Masters B Single and Masters B Pair categories.
The achievements mark another standout chapter for Griffin, who previously represented Ireland on the highest international stage as stroke of the Irish Men’s Lightweight Four at the 2008 Beijing Olympics alongside Richard Archibald, Gearóid Towey, and Cathal Moynihan.

250th anniversary of Arthur Young’s Muckross visit

A special commemorative walk will take place on the Muckross Peninsula this Sunday, September 27, to mark the 250th anniversary of English writer and agriculturist Arthur Young’s historic visit to Killarney.

Young stayed with the Herbert family at the Muckross Estate for four nights in September 1776 while researching his book A Tour Of Ireland. During his stay, he explored the native oak woods, the rare Reenadinna Yew Wood, limestone rock formations, and local flora along the peninsula.
His detailed accounts of the landscape led to the formal naming of the “Arthur Young Walk” on September 27, 1776.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Conservation Ranger Shonagh Gray will lead the anniversary walk, guiding participants through the historical route while outlining the ecology and heritage of the peninsula.
The walk begins at 10.30am this Sunday, outside the Garden Restaurant at Muckross House.