June 2007 NUI Galway President to join graduates at Henley

The Grainne Mhaol Club, in conjunction with NUI Galway Alumni Association, is pleased to invite all NUI Galway graduates to an afternoon & evening of rowing and entertainment at Henley Royal Regatta, (Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire) on Saturday, 7 July, 2007. The guest of honour will be Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway.

Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best known rowing regatta in the world and holds a unique place in the respect and affection of all oarsmen. Henley also offers a fantastic social occasion, and is a highlight of the English summer social circuit.

NUI Galway has a legacy of participating in, and often winning, events at Henley. In 2003, the Rowing Club won the Visitor's Fours event at Henley Royal Regatta, beating both "Boat Race" crews from Oxford and Cambridge along the way, and repeated this by winning the same event in 2005. An earlier generation of oarsmen, competing as UCG Rowing Club tasted victory in the Thames Cup in 1987 and in the Britannia Challenge Cup in 1990. The 20th Anniversary of the club's first Henley win will be marked by the 1987 crew rowing over the course during the break in racing on Saturday at this year's event.

In addition to the row-past by the 1987 crew, the present generation of NUI Galway athletes will also be racing on Saturday. The Club is planning to send two extremely strong and experienced crews to complete this year; and it is expected that at least one of them will still be in the competition at semi-final stage.

"If you ever were to attend Henley this would be the year to do it" declared Eamonn Hegarty, Alumni Association Board member and event organiser.

The Regatta Enclosure will be the venue for the NUI Galway graduate get-together at 2:00pm. After an afternoon at the regatta, alumni will be welcomed to a barbeque hosted by the Alumni Association Board at 8:00pm. Transport will be provided for guests from Henley Town Centre to the barbeque venue, ("The Maltsters Arms" in Rotherfield Greys), and afterwards, back to Henley in time for the last train to London.

For further details of the regatta timetable, dress code, barbeque venue, etc., please visit www.grainnemhaol.com, or e-mail us at mailgrainnemhaol.com

ENDS