Regatta Day

One of the oldest regattas held in Ireland, takes place in Castletownbere on August Bank Holiday Monday and this year was no exception. Thankfully, the rain held off - with only a little sprinkle in the evening - to allow the huge attendance (captured by Billy Black above) enjoy the events taking place, organised by the Castletownbere Boat Club. Teddy Black was the MC for the afternoon and kept the spectators enthralled with his commentary of each event and indeed with his comic wit throughtout the afternoon - Teddy - you should be on stage earning your living as you have a fantastic natural talent of making people laugh.
Rowing teams from Killarney, Fossa, & Muckross rowed in the various races as well as Castletownbere. Out of the six gig races, Castletownbere won five, including the Senior Gig Race, generously Sponsored by Neil Minihane.
The Duck Chase had everyone in stitches - with Teddy Black's comments and the duck escaping the reaches of the swimmers chasing it. Eventually, the duck was captured behind Blackrock Terrace some 7 minutes later. Because of this, a lot of the swimmers were tired and pulled out of the Pig and Pole event, which was cancelled. The Pillow Fight proved to be a very entertaining event also. Owen (Owenie) O'Sullivan was dethroned by a young lad from Killarney (see pictures below) to the huge cheers of the crowd - aided by the commentary from Teddy. Kevin McCarthy, David Regan, Coleman (Frank) O'Sullivan, Stephen Hanley and a few others - all went through the motions on the pole before David Kelly recaptured the winning title for the third year in a row.

Teddy Black MC, Patrick Martin-Sullivan, CTBere Boat Club, Richard Lane, Killarney Boat Club and Photographer Billy Black (above) and on right: David Kelly retaining the winning title of the Pillow Fight - knocking off Coleman (Frank) O'Sullivan on his way.
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Left above: Paddie (Owenie) O'Sullivan, safe in the comfort of his own boat after being dethroned from the pole by Paul Moynihan from Killarney on right who was eventual runner-up to David Kelly.		Winner of Duck Chase, Jamie O'Sullivan being brought back to base, with the duck (intact) by Willie Murphy and family
	Pictured on left - Castletownbere Ladies who won both the Novice and Ladies Gig Races: Cox: Paul Power (centre) with (from left) Mairead O'Shea, Sandra Joy, Ester Dudley and Catherine Murphy

Pictured on right are Castletownbere Crew who won the Senior Gig Race, Sponsored by Neil Minihane with Sponsor and organisers. From L:
Paul Power, John O'Shea, Organiser, Gavin Power, Donal O'Sullivan (cox) Neil Minihane, (Sponsor) John Joe O'Shea, Donagh O'Connor and Teddy Black

Swimming:
Boys U.14: 1st. Stephen Murphy, 2nd. Neil O'Sullivan and 3rd. Jeff Sullivan.
Girls U.14: 1st. Ann Daly and 2nd. Angela Crowley.
Boys U.16: 1st. David O'Mahony.
Girls U.16: 1st. Liz Keenan, 2nd Kriste Miaddu
Mens:        1st. John Murphy, 2nd Richard Murphy
Ladies:       1st. Maria Fleur

Gig Races:
U.16:                             1st. CTBere, 2nd. Fossa, 3rd. Workman's, Killarney.
Novice Ladies:                1st. CTBere, 2nd. Workman's, Killarney, 3rd. Fossa.
2-Oar Mixed Boat Race: 1st. Workmans, Killarney, 2nd. Fossa
Junior:                           1st. Workmans, Killarney,
Ladies:                          1st. CTBere, 2nd. Workman's, 3rd Fossa
Senior:                          1st. CTBere, 2nd Workman's, 3rd. Muckross