The Lough Rinn International Rowing and Canoe Course is a premier sporting facility in Leitrim, designed to meet the rigorous international standards of FISA (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron). The center-piece of the development is a 2,222m long, 8-lane ‘Albano System’ course. This complex engineering feat utilizes a sub-surface network of longitudinal and cross wires, buoy wires, and guiding pulleys, all secured by a specialized system of anchors and fixings to maintain precise lane alignment regardless of water conditions.
A key requirement of the project was versatility; the structural layout was engineered to be adjustable, allowing it to transition seamlessly from rowing configurations to meet the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Sprint Competition Rules. The project also involved the installation and commissioning of dual launch pontoons and associated infrastructure to support high-capacity international regattas.
Jennings O’Donovan managed the project from inception to handover, beginning with critical environmental assessments including AA Screening and bathymetric surveys of the lake bed. Our team navigated the statutory requirements through Part 8 Planning and Stakeholder Consultation, ensuring the project met both local community needs and international sporting criteria.
The project’s engineering excellence was recognized nationally, winning the Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2018. It was also a finalist in the ACEI Excellence Awards for Design Excellence in Civil Engineering, highlighting the technical precision required to deliver a world-class aquatic sports venue on a sensitive inland water body.