A new trophy for the Women’s Masters 8+ at THOR, and the story of how Tribesmen’s masters women grew from Learn to Row camps to World Masters gold.
The Ochtar Bán na Coiribe trophy, The Eight Women of the Corrib, will be presented for the first time at the Tribesmen Head of the River 2026, marking a special moment not only for the race but also within the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
As the first dedicated Women’s Masters 8+ trophy at the event, donated and presented by Tribesmen Masters Women 2026, it recognises the extraordinary growth of women’s masters rowing and celebrates the many women who now train, race and compete at every level of the sport. From early morning outings on the Corrib to the excitement and intensity of race day, women’s rowing has become one of the most vibrant parts of the rowing community, built on shared effort, friendship and the simple joy of being on the water together.
Before anything else, it is important to acknowledge and thank the Masters women of Tribesmen Rowing Club for the immense contribution they have made to rowing, not just within the club but across Ireland. Their commitment, energy and example have helped transform masters women’s rowing from a small niche into one of the fastest-growing areas of the sport. Their presence on the water, at regattas around the country, and increasingly at international competitions has helped inspire clubs everywhere to grow their own programmes.
Within Tribesmen itself, the women who row today represent a broad and vibrant community. They range in age from their 40s through to their 70s, bringing with them a rich variety of backgrounds and life experiences. What unites them is a shared love of rowing and the encouragement they offer one another, supporting teammates, celebrating progress, and showing that competitive sport can remain a powerful and positive part of life at any stage.
This spirit also reflects the wider ethos of the Tribesmen Head of the River, an event that continues to attract crews from across Ireland and from further afield, including Europe and the United States. The race itself runs over 4.2 kilometres from the lake to the Quincentennial Bridge, set against the iconic waterways of Galway and welcoming rowers of all ages and backgrounds.
From Learn to Row to World Masters gold
The story of the Masters women’s squad is best told through the reflections of Gillian Carolan, who has been closely involved in the development of the group over the past decade.
While women’s “veteran” crews, as masters were once known, had represented Tribesmen since the mid-1990s, competing both domestically and internationally at events such as the Head of the Charles and World Masters regattas in places like Vichy, Strathclyde and Zagreb, many of those early crews were made up of women who had learned to row in schools or universities elsewhere and returned to the sport later in life.
A turning point came around 2010, with the introduction of the club’s Learn to Row programmes. These camps began producing Tribesmen’s own “home-grown” rowers, using touring quads and supported by a large number of volunteer coaches who gave their time year after year. In those early days the emphasis was on participation and enjoyment, touring trips around Ireland and France helped create friendships and encouraged beginners to stay involved in the sport.
From 2014 onwards, with the arrival of club coach Sean Carolan, the steady development and retention of masters women accelerated. Training became more structured, confidence grew, and competitive rowing began to emerge as a shared goal. By 2017, the squad was racing a full domestic season, culminating in entries at the Irish Championships in Iniscarra.
The growth that followed has been remarkable. Only a year before that regatta there had been insufficient entries nationally to run masters women’s events. Within a short time the demand surged, and today masters women’s rowing is one of the most competitive and visible parts of the Irish rowing calendar. By 2025, for example, the Classic Regatta at Lough Rynn featured eleven women’s masters eights, alongside numerous fours, quads, doubles and singles.
The Tribes women’s squad has also become a regular presence at international masters competitions, racing at events such as Copenhagen (2016), Bled (2017), Velence (2019), Libourne (2022), Munich (2023), Brandenburg (2024) and Banyoles (2025). Over time their performances have continued to improve, culminating recently in a historic achievement as part of the first Irish women’s eight to win gold in the 55–59 age category at World Masters level.
Looking back over that journey, Gillian describes it as a privilege to have been part of a group that has grown into such a dynamic, enthusiastic and adventurous squad.
Their success has come not just through results, but through the positive culture they have created, one built on inclusivity, teamwork and a shared determination to keep improving.
The trophy
The Ochtar Bán na Coiribe trophy is a fitting tribute to that story.
Beautifully crafted from maple by Claregalway woodturners Ambrose and Bríd O’Halloran, the trophy carries its own quiet symbolism. Maple is known for its strength, durability and graceful grain, qualities that mirror the resilience, determination and character of the women who row. Just as the wood has grown and endured over time, so too has the community of women in the sport, continuing to grow stronger, more visible and more inspiring with each passing season on the Corrib.
As Tribesmen Rowing Club celebrates fifty years, this new trophy stands as both a recognition of what has already been achieved and a symbol of the generations of women who will continue to take to the river in the years ahead.
Aontaithe le chéile san iomramh.
United together in rowing.
