Shortly before 1am on Tuesday morning, after 2,686 hours at sea and over 3450 nautical miles rowed, Damian Browne became the first person in history to row from New York to Galway when he and his boat Cushlamachree came ashore on the rocks at Furbo Beach, just short of The Port Of Galway.
Having left Chelsea Piers, Manhattan on June 14th , Damian had spent almost 16 weeks or 112 days at sea, fighting mother nature every step of the way.
Eventually, in the last hours of this epic and unforgiving undertaking, the ocean had its way and forced Damian ashore in precarious circumstances.
Damian - who played professional rugby with - Connacht, Northampton, Brive, Leinster and Oyonnax - 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 Browne lands in Galway after 112 days at sea
Damian Browne's boat Cushlamachree on the rocks at Furbo Beach in Galway
Damian and the Project Empower expressed their gratitude to the Gardaí and the first responders who looked after the rower.
Flanked by the tricolour and Galway flag, @auld__stock arrives in to the Docks.
What a reception for Damian Browne, and what an achievement.
We'll be live from Galway, and talking to Damian, on @VirginMediaNews at 12:30. pic.twitter.com/J6fOHh6LUm— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) October 4, 2022
Though gutted not to have made it to the Port of Galway, Damian is now reunited with his family, is said to be good spirits and is very much looking forward to celebrating his amazing achievement with the people of Galway at his homecoming which takes place as planned at 11am in Galway Docks on Tuesday October 4th.
The journey, which has been entitled Project Empower, is part of a fundraising effort for four charitable organisations: National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and The Galway Simon Community.
Those wishing to support Project Empowers charity partners - National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and The Galway Simon Community - can do so by visiting: http://www.idonate.ie/projectempower2022
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