A scene from last year's regatta.

Big blow as weather hits regatta plans

Athlone Boat Club has suffered a big blow with the cancellation of what was expected to be one of its biggest ever regattas this weekend.

The annual Athlone Regatta was due to take place at Coosan Point tomorrow, Saturday, but today the organisers were forced to cancel the event due to likely weather conditions.

In a Facebook post, the Athlone Boat Club said: “It is with regret that the regatta committee has had to make the decision to cancel the regatta owing to the weather forecast for Lough Ree tomorrow.”

Some 486 crews had registered for the event which Regatta Secretary John O'Meara had described as a massive entry.