About Ironbridge Rowing Club
Over 150 years of history…
Ironbridge Rowing Club (IRC) was founded in 1870 to promote the sport of rowing in the Ironbridge Gorge and the surrounding area. IRC’s first clubhouse was on the south side of the River Severn, just upstream from the Iron Bridge in Bowers Yard.
Originally called the Severn Gorge, the gorge now takes its name from its famous Iron Bridge, the first iron bridge of its kind in the world, and a monument to the industry that began there. The bridge was built in 1779 to link the industrial town of Broseley with the smaller mining town of Madeley and the growing industrial centre of Coalbrookdale.
IRC has been bringing local communities together on the River Severn for over 150 years. Before the club was officially incorporated, an annual fete was organised at Ironbridge, where sportsmen from Bewdley, Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Stourport competed in ‘four-oared boat races…[which] ‘a large concourse of persons’ witnessed’ (Shrewsbury Chronicle, 6 August 1868). In 1870, a much larger-scale ‘Grand Fete’ was organised to celebrate the official incorporation of IRC. The fete was visited by an estimated 2,000 people, and featured races of coracles, punts, and four-oared rowing boats, as well as stalls, music, fireworks and a ‘monster balloon’.
Since our humble beginnings Ironbridge Rowing Club has grown to offer Junior, Senior and Masters rowing and sculling for male and female members. In 1995- 96, after more than six years of planning and fundraising, IRC managed to secure £373,459 grant funding and the necessary permissions to build a new boathouse, which we still occupy today. The building was designed by Wellington-based architect, Steve Atkinson. As part of the construction works, a new access track from Buildwas road was created, as previously, the club was accessed via Dale End Park.
Likewise Ironbridge Weekend Regatta has become a stable in the British Rowing Calendar and each year attracts 1000s of rowers and supporters from across the United Kingdom. In 2024 Ironbridge Weekend Regatta hosted the very first Much Wenlock Olympian Society Mixed Eights Event. Presentations were made by 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion Gillian Lindsay to Gold Olympian medalists Huntingdon Boat Club and Silver runners up Pengwern.
Our current committee 2024-25 Season
President: David S
Club Chair: Gail T
Secretary: Phil G
Treasurer: Nigel G
Club Captain: Stewart P
Men Vice Captain: James M
Women Vice Captain: Holly T
Junior Vice Captain: Liz Y
Welfare Officer: Sarah S
Safety Officer: Sandra T
Boatman: Mike W
Regatta Secretary: Stewart P
Membership: Ali G
Sponsorship: Simon R
Fundraising: Nicki D
Social Media: Ali C