Rowing the distance!
A pair of French rowers will set out on an epic journey from Limerick to Cork this weekend in search of adventure, discovery, friendly encounters, and even a few games of chess over a pint of stout.
Charlotte Dubost and Jean Le Floch, from Rennes, Brittany, aim to complete the trip in 36 days, rowing for up to 7 hours a day depending on conditions, and stopping at a different location every night along the way.
As well as loving the sporting challenge, the pair say they are extremely excited to see the beautiful Irish countryside and to meet the local people in each town they visit. Charlotte and Jean, who both love chess and Guinness, will be bringing poetry, music, and stories with them, and encourage all locals to come and chat with them when they are out and about.
Although weather could alter their schedule, Charlotte and Jean’s Cork stopovers include Eskavaud on 31 May, Bantry on 3 June, Baltimore on 7 June, Glandore on 12 June, Rosscarbery on 13 June, and Kinsale on 17 June. They hope to arrive in Cork city centre on 19 June.
Speaking to the Cork Independent, writer and street circus performer Charlotte said the idea to come to Ireland stems from Jean’s time spent working as a barman in Ireland over 20 years ago.
“The idea was originally from Jean because he went to Ireland and worked as a barman and really fell in love with the country. He's also an experienced rower and has done some competitions. He had a dream of going back to Ireland to row along the coast,” said Charlotte, who has never been to Ireland before.
She added: “We both love people, even if it's kind of cheesy to say. We hope that we will meet and share anything we can, like books or stories or games, because we both are big chess players. I don't know if people like chess in Ireland, but we like to play in bars.”
In preparation, Charlotte and Jean have been rowing in Brittany whenever they could get time off work, as well as cycling and other sports in order to be in optimal shape for the challenge.
They will have a weather specialist tracking their journey who will call them every morning with an update on local conditions and whether it is safe to row. If conditions are calm, they estimate that 4 hours of rowing a day should be enough to stay on schedule, but wind and waves could see that number rise to 7.
Also tracking their progress will be 8 classes of students from French high and middle schools who will be watching their every move from France.
Rennes in Brittany is twinned with Cork city and many other towns and villages in Cork and Kerry are twinned with Breton villages or towns.
The complete list of Cork stopovers starting on 31 May is: Eskavaud, Cahermore, Rodeen, Bantry, Griffin’s Cross, Crookhaven, Ballycumisk, Baltimore, Tragumna, Forthill, Rinneen, Squince, Glandore, Rosscarbery, Sandscove, Clonakilty, Courtmacsherry, Kinsale, Crosshaven, and Cork city.