History

The sport of coastal rowing in Ireland had its origins in the hobblers of the east coast in their skiffs and the fishermen living on the west in their curraghs.


     Hobblers were men who operated out of wooden clinker built skiffs on the east coast of Ireland. Their job was to row/ sail out to large cargo and people ships coming into harbour in Dublin Bay and locations such as Kings Town ( Dun Laoighre as it was known today) and Bray.  The hobblers would then approach the boat and guide the ships into port. This was a necessary job as the Hobblers knew all the routs and dangers of the east coast area.


     During the late 19th centaury early 20th there were now about a dozen established hobbling organizations on the east coast. 2 in Rings End, Howth, Skerries, Arklow, Dun Laoighre, Dalkey, Greystones and Bray.


     A clinker built skiff from each organization would row/ sail out to the ships, this is where a problem arose and racing rowing boats began. They would all race out to the ship to get the honour of bringing her in and all the other boats would have to return the long journey back into harbour without pay. Meanwhile the ship would be guided back into bay and the Hobblers would be paid for their hard work.




    

The hobblers
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