1893 Regatta

On Thursday the Killarney Grand Annual Regatta under the patronage of the Right Hon. Earl of Kenmare was held on the Lower Lake Killarney

The attendance was well up to the average of previous years, yet no marked improvement was noticeable. This may be accounted for by the fact that the morning was anything but encouraging. Heavy clouds which seemed to convey strange forebodings hung on the horizon, and as these ominous looking clouds raised themselves up, they gradually settled down in a thick mist on the towering peaks of the McGillycuddy Reeks and Mangerton. The gloomy aspect which these dark clouds flung over Beauty's Home had a most discouraging effect on a great number of people, particularly the fair sex, who naturally feel rather shy at donning their costumes and trusting themselves to the mercy of the weather and the wind and the waves of far famed Lough Leine. However, the day turned out beautifully fine, and those who plucked up courage to share the enjoyment of this annual event. were well rewarded by a grand day's outing, which combined pleasure, sport and pastime.

The beautiful and historic island of Innisfallen has from time immemorial been the place chosen as the starting and winning point for the Killarney Regatta, and no change was made in the meeting place this year, even though there was a good deal of talk about Glena Bay, which surpasses in scenic grandeur this lovely Island. It is really an Island of saints and scholars. Portion of the ruined Monastery founded by St. Finian (The Leper) in the fifth century, is still standing on the Island, access to which is gained by tiny little boats from the quay at Ross Castle.

A stiff wind blowing directly from the south made things lively for these little crafts today as they sped hither and thither from the Island. This southerly gale was welcome to the competitors and holiday-makers alike as it helped to cool the tropical heat which has prevailed for the past week.

The soul - stirring strains of the reverberates the famous echoes of Killarney and as the sound of this heavenly music rang out over the waters it had a soul-stirring effect on the competitors, every one of whom struggled manfully to win the valuable and much coveted prizes. From a sportsmanlike point of view the racing could not be excelled. Every event on the programme was well contested and the best man won. This may sound strange in the ears of many who are never short of an excuse in boat racing, but no such plausible excuses can be put forward in today's racing. The final event was not brought to a close until long after the specified time and this caused a good deal of uneasiness amongst many of the visitors who had to catch evening trains.