THE CHRISTINA

Congratulations Eamonn and Peter!!! Well Done...

more good wishes below, bottom of page...

From: "jens hansen" <jhansen@tinet.ie>
Subject: The Christina
Date sent: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 15:40:00 -0000
     As an update to what is happening here in Ireland to support Eamonn & Peter Kavanagh, I am pleased to insert sample of a poster that is plastered all over town and a copy of a letter from the President of Ireland to Eamonn and Peter.
Thank you for all your interest and help, :-)
Jens Hansen,
(p.r.o. friends of the rowers)

Letter to Eamonn & Peter Kavanagh from President Mary McAleese.

Transcribed from 'Seascapes' transmitted on RTE Radio 1 Friday 21/11/97.

I am delighted to send greetings and good wishes to the Irish rowing team taking part in this great Atlantic rowing race as you near the halfway mark in the challenge.

Your courage and spirit are an inspiration to everyone in Ireland.

I wish you continued success for the remainder of the journey, and I know you will have earned a place amongst Ireland's sporting greats for this tremendous endeavour.

sign

President Mary McAleese.

Brothers Eamonn and Peter Kavanagh in Tenerife

     The Kavanagh brothers are from Arklow, Ireland. They are the only Irish entry in the Atlantic Challenge race. Eamonn is a general operative and Peter is a boat builder. Presently we have found through e-mail a gentleman in Arklow that knows the Kavanaghs sister and we are trying to get more information on these lads to post on the website. If anyone from Ireland can give us more information or press clippings about this team please send it to webmaster@oceanrowing.com  Meanwhile keep up the great rowing Eamonn and Peter and "Erin go Braugh" .

( EDITORS NOTE: Being descended from good Irish stock come over to the state of Iowa during the Great Hunger I must admit to a fondness and favoring of the Kavanagh brothers and Christina (named after their Mother no less). I post unedited Heike's e-mail giving us a little more information on the lads. It is wonderful. Their story and their success with placing third thus far against some of the best rowers in the world gives me warm fuzzies (living in California I can say that ...). Too bad the Irish press are too busy covering "real news stories" to see the greatness of spirit and endeavour so befitting the Irish that these two brothers exemplify. All that is best in Ireland is in their boat and I hope they will be recognised for their achievements. Can you imagine what it must be like to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic in a 23 foot row boat? Thank you Heike for the following e-mail and God speed and safe journey to the Kavanagh brothers Eamonn and Peter...) Tom Lynch, American Coordinator,  The Ocean Rowing Society

(Editors note: As with other teams I will take the liberty to encourage people that want to be part of this great adventure to contact Sky4Heike@aol.com . I'm sure the Kavanagh brothers are still looking for sponsors to help defray their considerable expenses. I hope their team doesn't mind my posting this request for people to be sponsors and we will post their assistance on this site. Cheers...)

"Friend of the Rowers Fundraiser" Jan 17, 1998 Arklow Bay Hotel; admission #5, click here for more info...

Thanks to our sponsors so far...

want to help sponsor the Irish rowers contact Heike (Sky4Heike@aol.com)

Date sent: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 15:12:52 -0500 (EST)
From: Sky4Heike@aol.com
To: webmaster@oceanrowing.com
Copies to: tlynch@sonic.net
Subject: Christina


Hello,

I am a friend of the Kananaghs (mainly Eamonn and Peter's sister Rita, but
also the two "boys" themselves; they came to stay with me here in Felixstowe
on their way out to Tenerife) and hope that you might find some of the
following of interest to include in your website. I am not going to write
this in the form of an article, so you can pick and chose what you might want
to post.

Eamonn Kavanagh (43) and Peter Kavanagh (53) are both from Arklow, County
Wicklow in Ireland and both still live there .Both are single without
children.

Peter works for the local council and only builds boats in his spare time.
Nevertheless, he is the only traditional skiff builder in Ireland today. He
used to be a keen sailer and also enjoys reading. He is also a good cook,
which should help on this trip. Eamonn manages an eel farm. He has a keen
interest in sports and has played most of them at some time. He used to be
very involved in soccer, sqaush and long distance running. He is also a
member of the Arklow Lifeboat crew.

Peter, the oldest of 10 children and his brother Eamonn have both only been
involved in rowing since their late 20's or so, respectively. They are
founder members of the Arklow Rowing Club, which has been going now for 4 or
5 years. Apart from the skiff races during the regatta season, they have
taken part in the "Celtic Challenge" this year and the year before. This is a
longboat race from Arklow in Ireland to Aberystwyth in Wales, crew of 2x 4
rowers plus coxes.

Since they are both in full time employment, they have taken about 18 month
to build their boat "Christina", which is named after their mother.
"Christina" was finally launched by their sister Rita on August 17th with a
bottle of sparkling cider!!! (looks like a champagne bottle and who would
want to waste perfectly good champagne anyway) All this to the sounds and
dances of the Arklow Youth Marching Band .

As many things as possible were made and financed by the family. Almost all
the brothers and sisters helped financially, and Rita crafted the sea anchors
(from OLD PARACHUTE MATERIAL (she and I used to jump out of planes
togehter))and made the "soft furnishings" for the boat. Eamonn and Peter's sister
Chrissie did the bulk of the painting. Some more money was raised at local
charity events, but they tried to keep this to a minimum. Sisters Rita and
Liz went "begging" to the local businesses, which then donated important
things like medical equipment, water resistant watches and cameras, food and
tea bags of course and alsos prizes for raffles.

Also due to their full time jobs (plus overtime!), training was kept at a
minimum. Only the week after the launch did they get a chance to practice
before and after work. Then "Christina" was taken out of the water and towed
to Felixstowe (with their brother Mat's jeep). From here it was off to
Tenerife.

Eamonn and Peter are by no means professional athletes and have really
approached this adventure with a healty mix of naivity, optimism and
determination. And I suppose until now, nobody has really taken them very
seriously. Apart from the fact that they had little time for training, that
they took no "fancy" high calorie food ("we couldn't eat that much in one day
anyway, so we fattened up a little before the race"), they are quite a bit
older than the average, probably the most interesting fact is that Peter is
also almost completely deaf!!! (from childhood). Nevertheless, him and Eamonn
are able to communicate (quite vividly at times), and it was even considered
and advantage for the race as he is therefore quite used to being cut off
from other humans and restricted in his means of communication. Also, it
would be less likely that the two of them would get on each other's nerves
too much. Instead of computers with internet access they took books, poems
and letters from their family, friends and other wellwishers. Ocean rowing
Irish style.

I hope that I have been able to provide you with some useful information.
Please mail me any time, if I can help in any way. Also, I am sure that Rita
would not mind answering your questions. Her phone number in Ireland is:
(contact webmaster@oceanrowing.com for #'s) (w mornings only)

best regards

Heike


PS. My boyfriend Andy McGregor who you have mailed re some info will
hopefully send you some launch pictures tomorrow.

      Rita Kavanagh smashing a bottle over the boat
( she was nervous enough at the thought of doing
this and getting her 'lines' right when it was in front of
the local people, God knows how she would have
felt if she only knew that photos were going to be posted on
the web for all to see.) Eamonn is in the background.

The Kavanagh brothers out in the boat for the first time.
It's a pity I haven't more photos that give a better flavour
of the day. The weather gods were kind and the local
marching band turned up.
After Peter and Eamonn had a brief row, it was
pretty much open house for family and friends to have a
shot in the boat, whether or not they had any rowing
experience. Mums, dads and kids were all welcome.
Amazing, considering that Eamonn and Peter had sunk
most of their savings into this project.

Naturally, this was all followed by 'brief' session down
the pub.....

Date:    11/23/97 1:19:47PM
From:    rosewell@tinet.ie (mebrun)
To:    Sky4Heike@aol.com

Very best of good luck to the two lads...the Kavanagh brothers...everyone
accessing the relevant web page in Ireland
feels so proud of you. Shame on the national press in Ireland for not
covering your wonderful trip properly.

God bless and keep you both safe till you return home to Arklow.

Michael and Maureen Byrne
Rosewell, Templerainey, Arklow, Ireland.

From: Linda Watson <linda@ichr.uwa.edu.au>
Subject: Eamonn and Peter Kavanagh - The Christina
To: webmaster@oceanrowing.com
Date sent: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 16:36:58 +0800 (WST)


Dear Ocean Rowing Society,

We met Peter and Eamonn through their sister, Rita (Neil also used to
skydive with Rita and another brother, John) when we visited Ireland in
July and were tremendously impressed with them and the incredible
adventure they were then preparing for. We've been following their
progress avidly on the internet via the Challenge Business site and
were very pleased to find The Christina's web page at your site (thanks
to a tip from Rita) - I was surprised there was nothing to point to it
from challengebus.

We really can't add any information to Heike's excellent description of
these exceptional men (and their exceptional family), but we'll send
some photographs if we can get access to a scanner. Mainly, we'd like
to thank you for posting the information and let you know that Peter
and Eamonn are being cheered from another corner of the world.

With best wishes,

Linda Watson and Neil Deighan

Date sent: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 00:30:14 +0000
From: guest <guest@irelands-web.ie>
To: webmaster@oceanrowing.com
Subject: Eamonn & Peter Kavanagh/ Atlantic Challengers


Eammon and Peter Kavanagh the two challengers from Ireland are well
known along the East Coast for their rowing endeavours. Not only do
they participate in East Coast Regattas, and All Ireland Rowing
Championships, but they have by their own participation and enthusiasm
involved the East Coast Rowing Clubs in New Challenges such as the
Celtic Challenge and they are the first East Coast members to row the
Atlantic Challenge. Not only are they representing their family, their
town and Country, they are representing all the oarsmen and women of
Ireland.

They are well liked and respected by the East Coast Rowing Council and
members.

Peter's skills in skiff building are highly regarded and sought after by
the Rowing Clubs.
On occasions skiffs built by him have taken 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the one
race, and the biggest smile on these occasions was on the face of the
proud craftsman.

Eamonn is a wonderful motivator and inspires crews by his own personal
effort and leads by example. The crews he trains respond to the
challenges he puts to them. A great example of this is in the Celtic
Challenge and on the East Coast.

One aspect of the Kavanaghs which is especially respected is their
eagerness to share their knowledge and experiences, in the wish that the
challenge is always greater at the next race.

They will always put out the challenge and as we can see, they take the
challenge.




Please pass this on to the lads when they arrive.

G'day Eamonn & Peter, ,

How are the blisters?????

You are doing brilliantly. Every one on the East Coast is cheering you
on, especially your friends in St. Michael's Rowing club. We are not
surprised at how well you are doing. We expect nothing less from the
Kavangh brothers.

But lads how does it feel to be rowing morning, noon and night?? We
can't wait to hear your Sea Shanty's., Will you tell us
everything?????????????about cooking, swimming, sleeping, dish washing,
and best of all, the feelings on landing in Barbados. .


Despite Rita's instructions on how to get into the InterNet Site, it has
taken David and I an hour to get in. You won't believe this but there
is a picture of the two of you grinning out at us as we type! Lovely
sun tan.

Everyone is really proud of your achievement and we will have a pint or
six OK ten, for you when you get back..

Aileen & David.

Date sent: Wed, 03 Dec 97 13:55:49 +0000
From: "Elaine Russell"<elaine@ittdub.iol.ie>
Subject: Eamonn and Peter Kavanagh
To: "'Ocean Rowing'"<webmaster@oceanrowing.com>

As the founder members of Arklow Rowing Club, Eamonn and Peter Kavanagh have
overwhelmed us with their tremendous achievement in the longest Rowing Race
in the world. Its beyond comprehension for the rest of us here what its
like to be out there in oblivion rowing day and night. We always knew they
could do it - but in such style !! nobody we have ever met has the sheer
dedication and enthusiasm that both Eamonn and Peter have for challenges
like this. Only recently (May of this year) Eamonn and Peter both completed
the "Celtic Challenge" a gruelling 18 hours rowing challenge from Arklow in
Ireland to Aberystwyth in Wales for the 3rd time.

As you all are aware Eamonn and Peter entered the Atlantic Rowing Race with
little or no sponsorship. They arrived at the beginning of the race in
Tenerife with one of the most basic boats (But built to perfection by both
lads!! Of course) But Eamonn and Peter showed them how the race should be
done with nothing but sheer guts and determination.

We have all been following their progress with anticipation from the
beginning of the race on the Challenge Business web page. Everybody is
"pulling" for the lads and awaiting their return before Christmas. We
cannot wait to hear all the stories of how their powder food was
"digested", sleeping, blisters, and what it felt like to see dry land,
eventually !!

We are all so proud of the lads and they have set a great example to every
rower in Ireland. But the one question on all our lips - what will they do
next ? Arklow to Australia !!! (no problem to the lads)

We wish both of the lads a safe trip back home we are all thinking of them
every minute of the day and again we can't wait to see them.

From everybody at ARKLOW ROWING CLUB.

Congratulations from friends and supporter

Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 23:26:06 +0000
To: "Tom Lynch" <tlynch@sonic.net>
From: rosewell@tinet.ie (mebrun)
Subject: Re: the Christina is arriving!!!

Thanks for your e-mail re Eamonn and Peter. Thrilled to hear of their safe
arrival.
Heartiest congrats from us both. Come home to Arklow soon!!!!
Maureen and Michael Byrne
Templerainey
Arklow,
Ireland.

From: Linda Watson <linda@ichr.uwa.edu.au>
Subject: Re: the Christina is arriving!!!
To: tlynch@sonic.net (Tom Lynch)
Date sent: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 08:53:40 +0800 (WST)

Dear Peter and Eamonn,
Congratulations! YOU ARE AMAZING!! We've been with you all the way
and really look forward to your story. Have a wonderful homecoming.
Great good wishes from Australia,

Linda and Neil

From: Sky4Heike <Sky4Heike@aol.com>
Date sent: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 17:58:34 EST
To: webmaster@oceanrowing.com
Subject: Re: the Christina has arrived!!!
Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com)

Congratulations Peter and Eamonn!!!!!
I am so pleased that you made it across the Atlantic and in such good time
too. I have spoken to Rita tonight and she has been trying to repeat to me
what you told her during your telephone conversation. I hope you won't be
all out of breath from telling your story when I see you again on January
17th in Arklow! I can't wait to her all about it.
I have just been next door to tell Genevieve, my neighbour, and she is about
to crack open that bottle of Champagne she said she would have to celebrate
"even if they come in last". She was really emotional when I told her you
were there.
I myself am celebrating with a glass of my favourite single malt (I hear
that you also had a bottle of the "water of life" with you to celebrate the
quarter, half and three quarter mark; and another half bottle in Liz's
Christmas cake ? ;-)
Sorry, I am all lost for words now, knowing that no amount of imagination
will ever make me understand what it is like. (Maybe Rita might be up for
it: first all women taem to cross the Atlantic, or has that been done
Anyway, well done, looking forward to seeing you after Cristmas. Enjoy the
rest of your stay in Barbados (how hot is this "abroad" then? Warm enough
for shorts after all?) Have a safe flight home (don't worry, it's one of the
safest means of transport; got to be safer than rowing :)
All the best
Heike

From: niamh.barrett@nssb.ie
Date sent: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 9:10:15 +0000
To: webmaster@oceanrowing.com
Subject: Congratulations


Peter and Eamonn, I have just received an e mail from Perth telling me you
have arrived in Barbados - I am delighted and what a performance. I have
been kept informed of your progress by my brother Neil Deighan and his
partner Linda who have been following the race on the Internet in Perth. I
have been interested in your venture since he told me about it when he was
over in Ireland in July. WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT LADS, enjoy the sun (we are
being blown out of it, and lashed upon here in Dublin) - Happy Christmas -
Gra - Niamh

Date sent: Wed, 10 Dec 97 13:56:46 +0000
From: "Elaine Russell"<elaine@ittdub.iol.ie>
Subject: TO EAMONN AND PETER
To: "'Ocean Rowing'"<webmaster@oceanrowing.com>


TO EAMONN AND PETER

Everyone here in Arklow Rowing Club wants to congratulate you on your
tremendous achievement in coming 5th in the longest rowing race in the world
you did brilliant ! We all new you could do it.

We can't wait till you come back home to hear all your stories, and remember
to have a couple of pints on us !
Have a safe trip back and well see you in a couple of weeks.
Congratulations again.
from EVERYONE in ARKLOW ROWING CLUB

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