TO CELEBRATE 150 years of sporting history Carlow Town Council honoured the rowing club with a civic reception in the town hall.

Carlow Rowing Club, the third oldest rowing club in the Irish Amateur Rowing Union, this year celebrates its 150th anniversary and members and council officials marked the milestone with a special celebration on Monday night.

Cathaoirleach of the town council Des Hurley said he felt particularly privileged to present them with a scroll to mark the occasion as he himself is a former oarsman and his brother Jimmy was a captain with the club.

'My family has been involved with the rowing club since my grandfather's time and it was a great pleasure for me to make the presentation,' he said.

The club was founded and held its first regatta in 1859, making it one of the oldest sporting clubs in Ireland. Since its foundation it has been for the most part based on either side of the Graiguecullen Bridge in Carlow town.

In 1955 they won the Metropolitan Grand Challenge cup which is known as the blue ribbon of Irish rowing and in 1964 the club saw another historic event with the admittance of lady members.

The club started the twenty-first century on a high when the crew was chosen by the Irish Times as the rowing crew of the year.

'It has had many great achievements and has really made a mark over the 150 years,' added Cllr Hurley. '

President of the rowing club Michael Curran thanked the council for the honour adding that he hoped the club would be as successful in the next 150 years.

- Lynda CONNOLLY