Historic Wicklow rowing club to be new tenants at Katie Taylor’s former boxing club
The Wicklow PeopleBray Rowing Club are “incredibly proud and deeply grateful” after being recommended as the new occupants of the former Bray Boxing Club building in Bray.
In a lengthy statement the group said they were “thrilled” to be nominated as the new tenants.
“With our current building recently condemned, the future of the club had been uncertain — and this decision represents far more than a new space. It is a turning point that secures the long-term future of our athletes, our members, and the generations of rowers still to come.”
The group thanked local representatives for their support, acknowledging Cllr Caroline Winstanley “for her guidance, encouragement, and advocacy”.
The group has pledged to continue strengthening disability inclusion in sport, a priority they are committed to advancing as they enter this new phase.
“Our sincere thanks also go to our committee members, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and to the members of the public, the Sea Scouts, and sailing club whose support strengthened our application and helped make this possible.
“We are truly appreciative of all our local representatives and politicians who took the time to understand our vision and the challenges we were facing.”
The statement also recognised other local clubs that applied for the premises and were not successful.
“We appreciate the important work they do within the community, and we understand how disappointing this outcome may be. Our hope is that suitable facilities will be secured for them in the near future.”
As the club looks ahead to this new chapter, having been part of the town since 1935 their members are “filled with gratitude, pride, and renewed excitement”.
Wicklow County Council took possession of the building in June 2018 after a shooting incident the same month, in which gym member Bobby Messett was killed and two others, including Peter Taylor, the father and former coach of Olympic and World boxing champion Katie Taylor, who once trained there, were injured.
Since then, the doors of the boxing club have remained closed, with the site lying vacant.
The council put out a call earlier this year for sports clubs located in the area, which participate in sports that are recognised by Sport Ireland, to pitch ideas about how the building should be used.
During the district’s October monthly meeting, elected members heard presentations from two other clubs who had made submissions prior to the mid-summer deadline.
Enniskerry Boxing Club, the home club of Paris Olympian Daina Moorehouse, was among those to make a presentation to members during the meeting. The club was founded in 2013 and is run on a voluntary basis. Liberty Boxing Gym, which launched in September 2016, also made a play to set up shop in the area.
An expert panel was set up to review each submission, with each presentation being judged on certain weighted criteria. The panel held a meeting recently and reverted with a final recommendation at the district’s December monthly meeting.
The Cathaoirleach of the district said that whilst the other clubs were not chosen, she is committed to engaging with those boxing clubs to also find them a suitable premises, with the old courthouse put forward as a possible solution.
Speaking during the December meeting Cllr Ian Neary said he was not supportive of the decision.
“I have nothing against the rowing club, but I feel the boxing clubs are struggling to survive and since it was a boxing club before it closed, I feel it should remain that way.”
Meanwhile Cllr Dermot Daisy O’Brien queried whether the eight councillors in the district should have had more input in the decision-making process.
However, Cathaoirleach Cllr Erika Doyle stressed the importance of making sure the review was a neutral and fair process.
“I know there are groups who will be disappointed with the decision, but the process was agreed as it was the most impartial and transparent way of reviewing the submissions. This doesn’t mark the end of our engagement with the other groups. We will continue to explore how we can support them.
“The building being occupied again is a win for Bray.” she added.
In response to a query from Cllr Neary about whether the old courthouse could be used as an alternative space, town manager Jackie Carroll indicated they will consider that proposal.
“The courthouse is being remediated under the community recognition fund, meaning it must be used for the benefit of the community. We will consider other options to see what can be done to accommodate the other groups.”
The rowing club, which celebrates 90 years in existence in 2025, have yet to gain access to the building. Appointing them as the new tenants will now need to be voted on at a future meeting of Wicklow County Council.