Kincasslagh Rowing Club appeal after their cabin feels the brunt of Storm Ashley

Kincasslagh Rowing Club has launched an appeal after their cabin was wrecked by Storm Ashley over the weekend.

The club are asking if there is anyone who might be able to help them find a welfare cabin, which they can use to help them rebuild after the storm. 

“We never imagined we'd be writing this message,” they posted. Over the weekend, Storm Ashley tore through our coast with winds that battered Donegal at over 130 km/h, leaving destruction in its wake. 

“For Kincasslagh Rowing Club, the damage was catastrophic. The storm ripped apart our beloved cabin—our refuge, our heart, and our second home. It’s where we gathered to prepare for the elements, train in all weather, and protect the equipment that keeps our club afloat. Now, it’s all gone.

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“This loss is a devastating blow to our small but tight-knit rowing community. We are reaching out to you, with humble hearts, to ask for help. We urgently need a replacement for our cabin, a space that is essential to the life of our club. It’s where our rowers—young and old—come together to train, bond and dream of what’s possible. 

“Without it, we are left vulnerable and our ability to continue offering a place for people to gather, grow and excel is at serious risk.

“So, we are sending out this heartfelt appeal to anyone who may be in a position to assist us. If you are part of a school, business, council, construction company, or any organisation that has a welfare cabin no longer in use, we are pleading for your kindness. Covid testing centres, building sites, anywhere— if there is a cabin you no longer need, we will give it a new life - one filled with hope, teamwork, and ambition.

“To the wider community, we ask you to please share our story. Spread this message to every corner, to anyone who might be able to help. Kincasslagh Rowing Club has always been more than a place to train—it’s been a symbol of the spirit of this community, of resilience in the face of adversity. And right now, we need that spirit more than ever.

“We know that together, we can rebuild. With your help, we can give our athletes the space they need to continue striving for greatness and keep our little club alive and strong. Your support would mean the world to us. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”