A foretaste of what the Irish Coastal Rowing Championship will mean for Bantry will be evident at the programme launch at the Marino Church on Friday night, writes Jackie Keogh.

All are welcome to attend the 8pm event, which will outline details of what has been described as ‘a massive homecoming’ because it will be the first time in 14 years that Cork county will host the championships.

People are already pre-empting the impact this event will have on the social and economic life of Bantry town given that it will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 14th to the 16th, at the height of the summer.

Last year’s event in Antrim drew record crowds of more than 10,000 spectators, 36 rowing clubs and 550 crew members, so it is possible that this year’s event could be even bigger.

Bantry retailers, as well as accommodation, food and beverage providers, are already gearing up to meet the needs of a huge influx of visitors to the town.

Some are even predicting that the two-day event in August could be one of the biggest sporting spectacles to hit West Cork in years because there are already so many competitive clubs in the area, and it is a tremendous spectator sport.