Dragon Boat Challenge to return to Cork city in September

The annual interfirm Dragon Boat Challenge is returning to Cork city next month.

The competitive event, organised by Meitheal Mara, will take place on September 21, with companies across Cork encouraged to take part in the charity fundraiser.

The spring Dragon Boat Challenge, held earlier this year, was a roaring success, with 16 crews battling it out on the River Lee in colourful vessels vying for the title of champion.

Cork Penny Dinners came out victorious, with teams from Apple, ESB, Musgraves, Cork County Council, Boston Scientific, and Alcon also putting up a great fight.

The Lee is expected to come alive again with the rhythmic beat of drums, the splash of paddles, and the roar of dragons as new and returning fleets of crews battle for the title of 2024 autumn interfirm champions.

The event offers teams a fantastic opportunity to get active, support a worthy cause, and experience Cork city from a whole new perspective on the water, as all proceeds will be donated to Meitheal Mara — Cork’s community boatyard and nationally-accredited training centre.

The race will start opposite the former iconic R&H Hall, with teams travelling 250 metres to the finish line at Lapp’s Quay.

Each crew, made up of 17 determined members, will strive to make it to the cup final and claim the winning title.

The Dragon Boat Challenge is a fun, social, and vibrant event that welcomes participants of all experience levels — with no prior training required to participate.

Pre-race training sessions will be provided for all crews in the two weeks leading up to the challenge, with full details shared upon registration.

Meitheal Mara is dedicated to fostering and promoting maritime culture and seamanship through traditional currach and wooden boat building skills.

The charity provides training and development programmes to those who are at risk of social exclusion, recovering from addiction and to those living with disabilities.

As a registered charity, contributions made toward the event are tax-deductible and an ideal opportunity to demonstrate a company’s support for a local organisation.

The Dragon Boat Challenge is €680 for a full crew, coming in at €40 a head, encompassing the cost of the training night and the race day.

Places for the challenge are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, with Meitheal Mara encouraging organisations across the county to contact them as soon as possible to register their interest.

To register a crew from your firm, email dragons@meithealmara.ie or phone: 021 4847673.

For further information on Meitheal Mara’s programme offerings, visit: https://meithealmara.ie/.