Viking Boat Race - Press Room

Anyone interested in helping with the organisation of next year's Viking boat races, five mile challenge run or get involved with the Killyleagh Social Partnership, is asked to contact Mr.  Huddleston, telephone (028) 4482 8114.

If there is anyone who feels they can help by providing the sponsorship, whatever the size - contact Tony Davies - (028) 4482 1461 or email killyboat@focused.ie

Killyleagh to host another Viking boat race in May

Down Recorder - December 2004

Killyleagh is preparing to host another international Viking boat race.

Preparations are underway for next year's event and members of the organising team met last week to discuss their plans for the race which will be held 27th - 29th May 2005.

Buoyed by the success of 2004's event, which drew record crowds to the town's harbour, organisers admit they have a hard task ahead of them if they are to repeat their achievement.  But they are up for the challenge.

They hope that with the support they have already received from the town and other organisations, next May's races will be equally successful, if not better than this year's.

Last year, 17 teams and 170 rowers took part in the event which was held after a spectacularly colourful parade through the town.

Organisers hope they can increase the number of competitors and encourage more local teams to take part.  Only one local team participated last year.

Teams from Scotland and England competed in last year's grand finale, with the Scots taking the trophy, much to the delight of the home spectators.

Event organisers have also launched their own website, www.killyleagh.org and interest has been shown in the May event from people in the United States.

While the organisers admit it is still early days and they have a number of hurdles to overcome, they are determined to repeat last year's success come the May bank holiday.