Meet Damian Browne: First Irish Man To Row From New York To Galway

An Irishman has become the first person to row their way from New York to Galway.

Damian Browne was greeted with a hero's welcome, as he came ashore at Furbo Beach, close to the port of Galway this morning. The former Rugby pro was embraced by family, friends, along with well wishers, having spend 112 days at sea.

Mr Browne began this adventure alongside his friend Fergus Farrell, as part of a project titled Project Empower in Mahattan, New York on 14 June at 3-10am. 

However, Mr Farrell was taken ill after a fortnight at sea, and had to be removed from the boat to receive medical attention. He had been suffering from severe exhaustion, which had worsened following a recent spinal injury and collapsed lung.

Despite this setback, Mr Browne continued with this journey, as they aimed to break a world record and raise money for charity. He also updated followers of his journey via social media.

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The Instagram page dedicated to the project confirmed earlier today, that following 2,686 hours at sea and over 3,450 miles rowed, Damian Browne became the first person to row from New York to Galway.

“Having left Chelsea Piers, Manhattan on Tuesday, June 14, at 03.10 am, Damian had spent almost 16 weeks or 112 days at sea, fighting mother nature every step of the way and eventually in the last hours of this epic, unforgiving undertaking mother nature had her way and forced Damian ashore in precarious circumstances on the rocks at Furbo Beach, Galway,” the post read.

“Damian immediately called Chris Martin, the Project Empower land support officer, who in turn contacted the relevant emergency services who mobilised immediately".

“First on the scene were Garda Micheál Ó Ráinne, from An Spidéil, Garda Vincent Kelly from Indreabhán and Garda Eoin O’Malley from Carna who found Damian and Cushlamachree on the rocks and helped Damian to safety". 

“Damian and The Project Empower team would like to express their sincere gratitude to the emergency services and in particular the Valentia Coast Guard, the Gardaí and the Emergency First Responders who looked after Damian so well". 

While he was “gutted not to have made it to the port Of Galway”, Mr Browne was “reunited with his family and in good spirits”.