A FORMER Skibbereen rower will become the first Irishman to umpire the world-famous Boat Race.

In his Skibbereen Rowing Club days, Ciarán Hayes raced alongside Olympians like Eugene and Richard Coakley, and off the water the Skibb man is still making waves.

To take charge of the prestigious men’s Boat Race – Cambridge University Boat Club against Oxford University Boat Club – is an honour reserved for the best umpires, but that’s where Hayes sits comfortably.

His own journey in the sport is remarkable, too; from the muddy banks of the River Ilen in Skibbereen, Hayes went on to row for Oxford’s Isis crew in 2003 as an undergraduate while studying Economics and Management at Pembroke College.

‘Coming from a small club – albeit one with a lot of success – to being in Oxford where rowing is such a huge part of university and college life took some getting used to,’ Hayes told theboatrace.org after he was announced as umpire for the men’s race on the River Thames in London on April 4th.

‘Blazers, boat club dinners and bumps racing were also a bit of a culture shock! But ultimately my rowing for OUBC pushed me to do things I didn’t know I could do, to have experiences I could have only dreamed of, and ultimately to share those with people who have become lifelong friends.’

Ciarán Hayes. (Photo: theboatrace.org)

Hayes will bank another experience to remember in early April, but he won’t be phased by the occasion. Hugely experienced, he is a British Rowing and World Rowing umpire. Also, Hayes umpired the men’s lightweight boat race in 2024 and the women’s reserve race last year, before being handed the big one this year.

‘It’s both a huge privilege and a huge responsibility,’ explained Hayes, recently appointed Director of the Wales Office/Swyddfa Cymru in the UK Government.

‘I’ll be following in the footsteps of some very big names in the sport, and it’s not something I ever imagined when I was rowing as a junior in Skibbereen. It’s a big, high-profile role where there’s probably more focus on the umpire than in most other races.

‘What matters to me is that both crews get the chance to give the best account of themselves and show the fruits of their training, skill, and commitment in a fair and safe race.’

Umpiring the 171st Men’s Boat Race will be a proud moment for his home club, too. This is one of the oldest and most prestigious contests in rowing, first held in 1829, and Skibbereen will now be represented on that stage.

‘When Ciarán drops the flag, he’ll be the first Irishman ever to umpire a Boat Race – an incredible milestone and something we’re all hugely proud of,’ Skibbereen Rowing Club said.

‘Ciarán’s journey from learning to row as a teenager with Skibbereen RC to officiating one of the world’s most iconic rowing events is truly inspiring. This honour reflects his dedication, expertise, and lifelong passion for the sport.’