50 Years · 1976–2026
The Overdraught.
They borrowed money for the boat. They named it The Overdraught. And then they rowed it.
A tribute to our founders
An ambitious target,
set in 1976.
The club was founded by twelve friends with one shared goal: to win the Senior Eights at the National Championships.
The club was founded by Leo Wall, Irene Wall, Tom Kenny, Tony Freeney, Seán Heavey, Eamonn Colclough, Ger Ó Máille, Jim Silke, Billy Lawless, Tom Shaughnessy, Martin Dolan and Mick Kavanagh. Together they built something that would endure far beyond that first meeting.
It was an ambitious target for a new club, but it reflected the determination of the founders, and it remains part of the club’s ambition today.
We are proud that several founders remain with us: Leo Wall, Tom Kenny, Tony Freeney, Seán Heavey, Eamonn Colclough, Ger Ó Máille, Jim Silke and Irene Wall. We remember with gratitude those who are no longer with us: Billy Lawless, Tom Shaughnessy, Martin Dolan and Mick Kavanagh.
Fifty years on, boats still push off from the slip on the Corrib, and new generations continue to discover the sport they loved. We are still rowing because of them.
Timeline
Fifty years on the Corrib.
- 1976 photo1976
Founded
Twelve friends meet at Freeney’s Bar, High Street, and found Tribesmen Rowing Club.
- Overdraught photo1976
The Overdraught
The Overdraught is bought on the bank’s tab.
- Clubhouse photo1976
Earls Island
The clubhouse on Earls Island is secured.
- 1978 crew photo1978 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Eight
- 1981 crew photo1981 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Four
- 1987 crew photo1987 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Four
- 1991 crew photo1991 · National title
Men’s Club Four
- 1992 crew photo1992 · National title
Men’s Club Four
- 1992 crew photo1992 · National title
Men’s Junior Single Scull
- 1992 crew photo1992 · National title
Men’s Junior Pair
- 1993 crew photo1993 · National title
Men’s Club Four
1994 · National titleMen’s Junior Eight
- 1994 crew photo1994 · National title
Men’s Junior Four
- 1995 crew photo1995 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Four
- 1995 crew photo1995 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Pair
- 1996 crew photo1996 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Four
- 1996 crew photo1996 · National title
Men’s Intermediate Pair
- 2002 crew photo2002 · National title
Men’s Senior Eight
P. Bracken, composite NUIG / UCC / Tribesmen / Offaly.
- 2003 crew photo2003 · National title
Men’s Club Single Scull
Gerry Griffin.
- 2003 crew photo2003 · National title
Women’s Junior Pair
- 2004 crew photo2004 · National title
Women’s Club Single Scull
Sue Meade.
- 2004 crew photo2004 · National title
Women’s Junior Eight
- 2004 crew photo2004 · National title
Women’s Junior Four
- 2005 crew photo2005 · National title
Women’s Junior Single Scull
Siobhán McCrohan.
- 2006 crew photo2006 · National title
Women’s Intermediate Single Scull
Siobhán McCrohan.
- 2007 crew photo2007 · National title
Women’s Junior Four
- 2007 crew photo2007 · National title
Women’s Junior Pair
- 2007 crew photo2007 · National title
Women’s Senior Single Scull
Siobhán McCrohan.
- 2007 crew photo2007 · National title
Women’s Junior Quad Scull
- 2008 crew photo2008 · National title
Women’s Junior Four
- 2008 crew photo2008 · National title
Women’s Junior Pair
- 2008 crew photo2008 · National title
Women’s Junior Quad Scull
- 2008 crew photo2008 · National title
Women’s Junior Single Scull
Lisa Dilleen.
- 2009 crew photo2009 · National title
Women’s Junior Single Scull
Lisa Dilleen.
- 2009 crew photo2009 · National title
Women’s Intermediate Double Scull
- 2009 crew photo2009 · National title
Women’s Intermediate Single Scull
Lisa Dilleen.
- 2009 crew photo2009 · National title
Women’s Junior Four
incl. Lisa Dilleen.
- 2010 crew photo2010 · National title
Women’s Senior Quad Scull
Heather Boyle, composite Killorglin / Tribesmen / OCBC / UL.
- 2014 photo2014
Club coach
Seán Carolan arrives as club coach. Training becomes more structured and competitive masters rowing takes off.
- 2015 crew photo2015 · National title
Women’s Senior Single Scull
Siobhán McCrohan.
- 2015 crew photo2015 · National title
Women’s Lightweight Single Scull
Siobhán McCrohan.
- 2016 photo2016
Racing abroad
Tribesmen women race at Copenhagen, the first of a run of international masters regattas through to Banyoles in 2025.
- 2017 photo2017
Masters Women
First full domestic Masters Women season; the squad enters the Irish Championships at Iniscarra.
2023 · IrelandWorld Champion
Siobhán McCrohan is crowned World Champion in the Women’s Lightweight Single Scull, racing for Ireland.
2024 · IrelandWorld Championship bronze
A Tribesmen sculler wins bronze in the green vest for Ireland.
- 2025 crew photo2025 · National title
Women’s Lightweight Single Scull
Siobhán McCrohan.
202650 Years
Half a century on the Corrib.
- Juniors photo2026
Junior rowing returns
Junior rowing returns to Tribesmen.
2026Ochtar Bán na Coiribe
The Ochtar Bán na Coiribe trophy is presented for the first time.
Heritage archive
Help us gather the club’s history.
Fifty years of crews live in memories, attics and old phones. Add what you know, as much or as little as you like.
Honour Roll
38 National Championship titles.
And the members who have represented Ireland.