Enniskillen Royal Boat Club held its Gala Ball at the Lough Erne Resort over the weekend as almost 300 guests showed up to the event.

The evening began with boat naming as former rowers John Adebiyi and Barry Dowling very generously made a donation to purchase a new Four which was then maned after John’s mother, Patsy McGettign.

Impartial Reporter: John Adebiyi and Barry Dowling with the new Four named after John's mother Patsy.John Adebiyi and Barry Dowling with the new Four named after John's mother Patsy. (Image: ERBC)

A game of Heads or Tails then followed with £750 being raised for Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity chosen to remember what would have been the 30th birthday of Aine McCann, with her sisters Aisling and Aoife being fond former boat club members.

Impartial Reporter: The height of fashion from Isabella Wright, Abbie McCarthy- Magwood, Darcy Balfour, Tori Davis, Aoibhin Campbell, Amy Williamson, Brooke Davis and Emily Blake.The height of fashion from Isabella Wright, Abbie McCarthy- Magwood, Darcy Balfour, Tori Davis, Aoibhin Campbell, Amy Williamson, Brooke Davis and Emily Blake. (Image: Trevor Armstrong)

President of Rowing Ireland, Neville Maxwell also made the trip to Enniskillen to appear as a guest speaker, as the former Olympian commended the rising success of the boat club and took the time to praise rowing stars Nathan Timoney and Ross Corrigan for their achievement as they continue their training to compete in the 2024 Olympics later this year in Paris, following in the footsteps of the Galway man.

Iain Kennedy and Derek Holland were then presented with their Olympic numbers and spoke about them cementing their place in history as athletes to represent Ireland in the games.

Impartial Reporter: Derek and Jane Holland, Louise and Garry Clarke, Ann Sweaney, Ed Mooney, Kathy and Joe McAleer enjoying themselves before the Rowing Club Gala Ball.Derek and Jane Holland, Louise and Garry Clarke, Ann Sweaney, Ed Mooney, Kathy and Joe McAleer enjoying themselves before the Rowing Club Gala Ball. (Image: Trevor Armstrong)

All in all, it was a successful evening celebrated by the club as they continue to go from strength to strength with more exciting events coming up on the horizon in 2024.