Irish Kayaking Intervarsities 2026 group photo on the banks of the river Liffey. Credit: Dan Clohessy.
This year's Irish Kayaking Intervarsities came back to the iver Liffey in Dublin hosted by two Trinity alumni Hannah Doyle and Cleo Pitcher Farrell. As one of Ireland's biggest kayaking events it had over 250 entries from 13 different college clubs. With 5 different events over the weekend the competition was fierce and the craic was mighty!
Kayaker in action on the River Liffey at the Irish Kayaking Intervarsities 2026. Credit: Karl Caulfield.
Saturday saw all the clubs descend on St Catherine’s park in Lucan to the infamous ‘Sluice’. The colleges participated in two events, a whitewater time trial and kayak cross, a discipline which debuted in the Paris Olympics in 2024. The river bank was filled with spectators and the kayak cross had everyone of the edge of seats as four competitors launched at the same time off a custom built ramp into the river and there was no shortage of flips, swims and rolls. After launching, competitors then had to navigate the river waves, a course of gates and battle their way to hit the finish banner first. While the University of Galway came out on top in the whitewater, the University of Limerick's true fighting spirit showed, landing them first place in kayak cross.
Sunday saw a move from the river to Leixlip reservoir where competitors showed off their freestyle skills; flips, rolls, cartwheels, air guitars etc all in a kayak! This was followed by a long distance around the lake, supported by Salmon Leap Canoe Club with 14 different race classes, a long and short distance course and everyone from beginners to seasoned racers taking part.
Canoe polo on the Royal Canal, Phibsboro for the Irish Kayaking Intervarsities. Credit: John Butterly.
The final day brought competitors and spectators to Phibsborough for a canoe Polo competition. With three pitches in play at the same time there was no shortage of action or drama. A very tight final saw last year's polo champions TU Dublin (TUD) take on University College Cork (UCC). In a tight game TUD managed to come out on top again taking home the polo trophy.
UCC take home the win at the Irish Kayaking Intervarsities 2026. Credit: Kirsten Hand-Howard.
Thanks to all the sponsors, especially local shops I-Canoe and The Canoe Centre, the awards ceremony saw many participants walk away with lots of amazing prizes. UCC ultimately took home the win and will be hosting in 2027.