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