Queen's University Belfast Boat Club

The Queen's University of Belfast Boat Club was founded in 1931, due to the work of four founding members: J.W. Rigby, D.B. McNeill, F. Maunsell and J.F. Doggart. Towards the end of January 1932 the newly formed club signed an agreement with Belfast Commercial Boat Club for accommodation that was its home until 1951. Membership rose from a dozen or so in 1932 to a maximum of 65 by 1937.

The club competed regularly in regattas in Ireland and Scotland. Rowing was maintained at a low level throughout the war years; however, after the war the club really started making an impact, and under the vigorous captaincy of F.J. Boyle (1944/45), it won the Wylie Cup (Irish University Championships) for the first time. Success continued under H.F. Jackson in 1945/46 when the club retained the Wylie Cup, and next year went to Henley Royal Regatta for the first time. In 1947 a Queen's four won the Metropolitan Challenge Cup (the 'Blue Riband' of Irish Four rowing) and many other trophies.

In 1951 the university provided a "temporary wooden structure" on the site of the present clubhouse, which was officially opened during the captaincy of John Gorman, when the club went to the Putney Head of the River and came 13th.[1]

Queen's racing at Henley Royal Regatta in 2003

From their newly established clubhouse, Queen's came to be a dominant force in Irish rowing and a major club in the university. Under John Alexander's captaincy, Queen's won the Wylie Cup and the Irish Senior Championship (the 'Big Pot') in 1952. The club won the 'Big Pot' five more times, in 1953, 1956, 1957, 1959 and 1962. The victory in 1957 was remarkable because it was won by a 'second' Queen's crew, as the Championships were held during Henley Royal Regatta.

In 1958 the Queen's Senior Crew represented Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games Regatta instead of attending the National Championships. That crew reached the third round of the Thames Cup at Henley, as did the crew in 1959. Other divisions of the club did well, as the splendid record of the Wylie Cup shows: the only years Queen's failed to win the cup were 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1966. Queen's Junior (now Intermediate) crews won the National Championships in 1958, 1960, and 1962 and the Maiden (Novice) crews in 1953, 1955, 1961, 1963, 1967 and 1969.

Club membership was usually about 100 at the beginning of each year, and frequently 4 or 5 'eights' rowed right through the season from October to July. The social side of life was not neglected, and the Boat Club Dinner and Formal Dance were among the highlights of the Queen's year. In 1967 Queen's held a regatta on the Lagan; this became an annual event and eventually transferred to its present venue at Castlewellan Lake.[1]

Despite the success which Queen's had enjoyed for the previous fifteen years, there were developments in Irish rowing which left these years rather bereft of trophies for the club. Yet there were still great efforts made at Queen's, such as in 1976 when the Senior crew reached the final of the Ladies' Challenge Plate at Henley.

Also in 1976, the "temporary wooden structure" was at last replaced with a proper clubhouse. J.W.F. Boyd was captain when the club's new home was opened, and three 'eights' made up of past captains and members rowed a short race to celebrate the occasion.

After graduating, many members rowed for Lady Victoria Boat Club or the newly founded Belfast Rowing Club. John Armstrong, Captain 1982-83, won both the Open and Lightweight Championships in 1983.[1]