The naming of ‘The Paddy D’ at Queen’s Boat House. Pictured above (left to right); Gareth Ingram, Stephen Meenan, Dr Paddy Doherty, Keith Wilson, Kerry Bryson (Alumni Office), Jonny Malloy and Brendan Duffin
The Queen’s University of Belfast Boat Club celebrated its 75th Anniversary last year. The club is an unknown success story within Northern Ireland’s sporting world, continually competing at a top level and winning within Irish and British rowing respectively. Queen’s Rowing aims to amplify this success with a continued investment, both of money and expertise, to bring the club inline with other top universities throughout Europe.
Queens Rowing is undergoing a transition, spearheaded by the appointment of Mr Mark Fangen Hall as the new professional coach. Mark has been partly paid for by the kind donations and support of the Alumni and The Lady Victoria Boat Club. Alumni of Queens Rowing and The Lady Victoria Boat Club have kept Queens Boat Clubs competing and winning at a top level. Without the support of many individuals, Queens Rowing could not ensure the continued development of its athletes and students. Two individuals in particular, who have contributed between them over 60 years to Queens Rowing, are Mr Andrew Wells and Dr Paddy Doherty. Andy and Paddy who both rowed and coxed for the university in the 1970s have been integral to the successes of both the men and women’s clubs. Andy was stroke of The Queens boat that lost out in the 1976 final of Henley Royal Regatta and co-founder of the Ladies boat club. Paddy has coached novice crews and ensured successful development of fresher oarsmen for over 30 years. Andy and Paddy were recently inducted into the Queens Rowing roll of honour in recognition of the efforts and kindness to Queens Rowing. Recently a number of alumni, led by Mr Gareth Ingram and Mr Enda Marron, purchased a boat for the men’s club. The boat, a coxless pair, was named ‘The Paddy D’ in recognition of Dr Paddy Doherty at a ceremony in Queens Boat House.