To finish off a thrilling 2023 for paddlesports, the Canoeing Ireland Awards were held in the Crowne Plaza Dublin airport over the weekend. A year of medals, of brilliant growth in our sport, Olympic qualification, and outstanding contribution was capped off with a night recognizing the amazing people who made all this possible. The chance to connect with our community and hear more of the incredible stories and contributions from our sport makes the Awards one of the most rewarding events of the year.

In opening the Awards ceremony Canoeing Ireland President Lynda Byron-Byrne spoke of Canoeing Irelands growth both on and off the water in 2023. From qualifying 3 boats in Canoe Slalom for the Paris Olympic Games, to the hosting of an international conference on Women in Sport, to the range of international medals taken in 2023, Canoeing Ireland has put itself on the Paddlesports map. A special tribute was again made to the community in Ireland who are driving such positive change in the sport.

Awards were presented to the Athlete of the Year in a range of disciplines, and to those who have made a significant contribution to paddelsports in Ireland in 2023 through the Awards for – Club Hero, Community Impact, Team of the Year, Adventure Paddler of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Volunteer of the Year.

Full List of Winners –

Athletes of the Year

Stand UP Paddle

Senior Male: Patrick McCormack

Senior Female: Mary Dowling

Junior Female: Caoimhe Galligan Byrne

Ocean Racing

Senior Female: Roisin Cahill

Senior Male: Ryan Cotter

Paddlesurf

Senior Male: Donie McLoughlin

Senior Female: Megan Gamble

Junior Male: Tiernan Hayes

Freestyle

Senior Male: David McClure

Senior Female: Eidin Dowling

Junior Male: Dan Clohessy

Junior Female: Leah Hough

Marathon

Senior Male: Ronan Foley

Senior Female: Jenny Egan

Junior Male: Ben Higgins

Junior Female: Kate O’Halloran

Canoe Slalom

Senior Male: Noel & Robert Hendrick

Senior Female: Madison Corcoran

Canoe Sprint

Senior Male: Ronan Foley

Senior Female: Jenny Egan & Éabha Ní Drisceoil

Junior Male: Ben Higgins

Event of the Year

Overload! Canoe Polo

Community Impact Award

Amy Walsh

Adventure Paddler of the Year

David Horkan

Volunteer of the Year

Pat Hickey

Team of the Year

Irish Canoe Slalom Senior Team

Club Hero Award

Mark Fitzpatrick

Lifetime Achievement Award

Colm Ryan & Kris Kohls