For archives post-1965, please visit the CAIBC Archives "1966 - 1990" and "1991 - 2005" pages

The 1st VIII+ winners of the Wray Challenge Cup, Senior VIII+ at Coleraine Regatta, Clinker Pennant at Portora and Fine Pennant at Coleraine.

The 1st VIII+ also competed in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.  They were beaten in the first round by Philips Academy USA, who were the American Champions, equalled the course record in beating CAIBC and went on to win the Princess Elizabeth Cup.  The 1st VIII+ came back home, to finish 3rd in the Senior Irish Championships at Blessington.

Norman Hamill (cox); Desmond Hill (stk); Ian Harvey (7); Michael Clarke (6); Rowan Bell (5); Ian Gillespie (4); Kenneth Hunter (3); Peter Handforth (2); Raymond Cochrane (bow).

The second photo was taken after 25 years, at the CAI Boat house steps, before a reunion dinner.  The only change from the above crew is John Hill substituting in for the injured Ian Gillespie at No.4.  There are rumours about plans for a 40th re-union in December 2005!  Watch this space.   

Captain - Desmond Hill

Standing; R.A. Eyre, Esq, K.C. Hunter, P.A. Handsforth, L.W. Gillespie, R.R. Bell, M.S. MacDevitt, Esq.
Seated; I.A.M’D. Harvey, J.D. Hill, (stk), N.H. Hamill (cox), S.J.R. Cochrane, M.T. Clarke.

The 1st VIII+ were winners of the Schools Championship of Ireland, Clinker Pennants at Coleraine and Portora, Schools VIII+ at Trinity and Dublin Metropolitan, Maiden VIII+ at Belfast, and Schools IV+ at Dublin Metropolitan.

The newly crowned Irish Schools VIII+ champions are pictured at Islandbridge, Dublin Metropolitan Regatta. 
Back row; Mickey Eyre (coach) Ian Harvey; Derek Aiken; Michael Clarke; Rowan Bell; Ian Gillespie
Front row; Armstrong; Desmond Hill (stk); Raymond Cochrane (bow); Noel Graham (cox). 

Captain - Desmond Hill

Standing; R.A. Eyre, Esq, K.C. Hunter, M.T. Clarke, R.D. Aiken, R.R. Bell, I.W. Gillespie, M.B. MacDevitt, Esq.
Seated; I.A. Harvey, J.D. Hill (stk), N.G. Graham (cox), D.R.M. Armstrong, S.J.R. Cochrane
The IV+ are seated in this photograph.

The C.A.I 1st VIII+ competed at Henley Royal Regatta in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.  They lost in the first round to Canford School by 1 ½ lengths.

Captain - J.H. Boyd

J.J.H. Morrell, C.V. Hamill, W.N.G. Harvey, J.H. Boyd (Captain), I.S. Hunter, J.M’I. Calvert, A.J. Drinnan.
In front:  D.R.M. Armstrong (sub), J.W. Young.  Not present: N.G. Graham (cox)

The 1st VIII+ were winners of School’s VIII+ at Galway and Athlone, maiden VIII+ at Coleraine and Carrick-on-Shannon; Under-age IV+ at Coleraine and Belfast; and maiden IV+ at Carrick-on-Shannon.

Captain - J.H. Boyd

1st VIII+

Standing; R.A. Eyre, Esq, N.G. Graham (cox), A.J. Drinnan, J.J.H. Morrell, W.N.G. Harvey, C.V. Hamill, J.W. Young, M.S. MacDevitt, Esq.
Seated; J.M. Boyd, D.D.T. Craig, J.H. Boyd (stk), I.S. Hunter.

The 1st VIII+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup (after 17 years),  Schools’ VIII+ at Galway and Trinity, schools’ IV+ at Dublin Metropolitan and underage IV+ at Coleraine Regatta.

Captain - R.R.B. Craig

1st VIII+

R.A. Eyre Esq, I.S. Hunter, F.D. McClenahan, W.N.G. Harvey, R.W. Woods, J.M. Boyd, D.D.T. Craig, N.R.C. Clarke, J.H. Boyd (stk), R.R.B. Craig, R.A.C. Davis (cox).

The 1st VIII+ were winners of schools’ VIII+ and IV+ at Coleraine Regatta.

Captain - R.W. Woods

1st VIII+

R.R.B. Craig, N.R.C. Clarke, R.A. Eyre Esq, P. Shannon, S.C. Crompton, D.D.T. Craig, B. Dean (stk), R.W. Woods, J.H. Boyd, C.J. Patterson (cox), R.A.C. Davis (cox).

1st VIII+

D. Cunningham Esq, J.A. Gordon, R.S. Armstrong, J.G. Lucas, Dr G. Humphreys, R.W. Woods, L.W. Allen, M.S. Hegan, J.W. Eakin (stk), J. Anderson, D. McVeigh (cox).


Captain - M.S. Hegan

1st VIII+

J. Martin (bow), J. Doherty, M.S. Hegan, J.D. McDowell, V.B. Moore, F.N. Shane (stk), S.P. McDowell, C.B. Leeke (stk), D. McVeigh (cox).


Captain - J. Doherty

1st VIII+

J.D. McDowell, C.B. Leeke, J. Doherty, J.B. Fleming, F.N. Shane (stk), W.J. Bolton, J.A. McClelland, S.P. McDowell, K. Lynn (cox).



Captain - J.B. Fleming

1st VIII+

J. Doherty, N. Morrow, J. Whittle, R.A. Henry, I.W. Mencarelli, Dr G. Humphreys, N. Shane (stk), J.B. Fleming, T.W. Swinson (cox), J.D. McDowell.


Captain - J.B. Fleming

1st IV+ - N. Cohen (bow), F.S.J. McKee, J.R. Gray, R.E. Huston (stk), W.G. Wilson (cox).  No photograph available.

Captain - F.S.J. McKee

1st IV+ - A.G. Linton (bow), R.E. Huston, F.S.J. McKee, G.R. Young (stk), W.G. Wilson (cox).  No photograph available.

Captain - A.G. Linton

1st IV+ - G.R. Young (bow), H. McFarland, W.N. Linton, J.G. Russell (stk), C.C. Hunter (cox).  No photograph available.

Captain - W.N. Linton

1st IV+

J.E. McBride, D. Cunningham Esq, S.F. Logan, W.C. Collins (stk, capt), R.H. Young (cox), J. McCurdy (bow).





Captain - W.C. Collins

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Craig Cup.

1st IV+

D. Cunningham Esq, A. Mencarelli, J.C. Graham, Major W. White, A.J. Pollock (stk), J.R.B. Hunter (cox), A.V. Crawford (bow).


Captain - A.J. Pollock

1st IV+

D. Cunningham Esq, D.J. Wilson, M.I.G. Clarke (bow), J.W. Caskey, A.J. Pollock (stk), R.H. Young (cox), J.C. Graham.



Captain - J.W. Caskey

No information currently available.

No information currently available.

No information currently available.

No information currently available.

The 1st IV+ beat MCB.

1st IV+

T.W.D. Sullivan (bow), J.M. Jackson, H.R. Cameron, I.S. Currie (cox), R.S. Lindsay (stk).




Captain - H.R. Cameron

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.  They also beat MCB and RBAI.

1st IV+

T.B. Girvan, R.W. Reynolds Esq, H.R. Cameron, R.A. Eyre (stk), J.B. Wallace (cox), C.G. Eyre (bow).




Captain - R.A. Eyre

The 1st IV+ beat RBAI.

1st IV+

H.M.H. Morrison, G.H. Wilson Esq, A.J. Russell, C.G. Eyre (bow), J.K.E. McNutt (cox), R.A. Eyre (stk).




Captain - A.J. Russell

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.

1st IV+

M.J. Wauchob, J.S.Y. Mathewson, J.C. Boyd (bow), J.K.E. McNutt (cox), A.R. Nicholson (stk).





Captain - A.R. Nicholson

The 1st IV+ beat MCB.

1st IV+

G.R.C. McDowell, G.H. Wilson Esq, F. Ferguson, C.R.G. Keegan (bow), S.C. Bateman (cox), A.R. Nicholson (stk).




Captain - G.R.C. McDowell

1st IV+ - G.R.C. McDowell (bow), H.R. Edmiston, J. McMillan, W.A.B. Thompson (stk), S.C. Bateman (cox).  No photograph available.

Captain - W.A.B. Thompson

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.  The 1st & 2nd IV+s raced RBAI 1st & 2nd IV+s in Coleraine with victory for the home team by 4 & 1 lengths respectively. 

1st IV+

T.H. Cameron, G.H. Wilson Esq, W.A.B. Thompson (stk), D.B. Taylor (bow), S.C. Bateman (cox), J.W. McKay.




Captain - J.W. McKay






2nd IV+ 
BT Smyth (bow), MHA Jamieson, F Halliday, WJG Cameron (stk), JH Beare (cox).

RBAI 1st IV+ J McA Barron (bow), TWH McMullan, RE McMullan, K Leacock (stk), JR Hanna (cox).    2nd IV+ RE Dunlop (bow), HS Walls, GRMcC Hume, VA Care (stk), J Milliken (cox).

CAI 1st IV+.  Winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.  Beaten by 1 length, by DUBC in final of the Metropolitan Grand Challenge Cup (the Blue Riband of Irish rowing).

1st IV+

A.J. Clarke, G.H. Wilson Esq, T.H. Cameron (bow), A.McI. Smyth (stk), A.J. Armstrong (cox), W. Nicholson.




Captain - A.J. Clarke

The 2nd IV+ were winners of the Dublin Metropolitan Schools’ Cup.

2nd IV+

B.T. Smyth (bow), R.W. Reynolds Esq, W.J.G. Cameron, C.A. Craig, J.W. McKay (stk).

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup against Portora and also beat MCB and RBAI.  The Dublin Metropolitan Schools’ Cup.  This was the first year that CAIBC competed in a regatta south of the border, when the competed at Dublin Metropolitan Regatta, Islandbridge.  Inst defeated St Ignatius College RC Galway (2 lengths), Rockwell College BC (4 lengths) & Belvedere College RC (4 lengths) along the way, to claim the School’s Challenge Cup, and established themselves as the premier school crew in Ireland.

1st IV+

A.J. Clarke, G.H. Wilson Esq, J. Boyd, H.C. Hamilton (bow), (stk, capt), A.J. Armstrong (cox), W. Nicholson (stk).




Captain - A.J. Clarke






The Irish Independent said “The victory of Coleraine AI in the School’s Metropolitan Challenge Cup was at no stage in doubt. They cut through all the opposition on the first day and emerged from the final as a crew of considerable merit”.

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.  They also beat MCB and RBAI.

1st IV+

A.J. Clarke, G.H. Wilson Esq, J.A.C. Craig (bow), W. McGrath (stk), A.J. Armstrong (cox), W. Nicholson.




Captain - W. McGrath

The 1st IV+ beat RBAI.

1st IV+

W. McGrath (stk), G.H. Wilson Esq, A.J. Clarke, C.J. McFarlane, S.A.R. Clarke (cox), R. Halliday (bow).



Captain - W. McGrath

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup and also beat MCB.

1st IV+

W. McGrath, R.W. Reynolds Esq, R.L. Smyth (stk), A.J. Clarke (bow), A.F. Crook (cox), H.L. Gallagher.


Captain - H.L. Gallagher

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.  They also beat MCB at Belfast.

1st IV+

W.H. McNeill, P.J. Taylor, B.W. Hezlett (bow), C.H. Macaulay (cox), S.J. Christie (stk).

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup.  they also beat MCB and won underage events at Coleraine.

1st IV+

W.H. McNeill, P.J. Taylor, B.W. Hezlett (bow), C.H. Macaulay (cox), T.C. Clarke (stk).


Captain - T.C. Clarke

The 1st IV+ were winners of the Wray Challenge Cup, beating Portora royal School by 4 lengths in Enniskillen.  They also beat RBAI by 8 lengths in Coleraine and won underage events at Portadown and Derry.

1st IV+

J.A. Craig, P.J. Taylor, D. Cunningham (bow), C.H. Macaulay (cox), T.C. Clarke (stk). 



Captain - T.C. Clarke










The RBAI crew was JC Johnson (bow), JF Montgomery, VHA McBartney, DC Badger (stk), RNC Strain (cox). 

J. Leonard Esq.      (1928–1962).
W. Reynolds Esq.    (1934–1944).
G.H. Wilson Esq.     (1935–1943).
D. Cunningham Esq.(1950–1959).
R.A. Eyre Esq.        (1954-1985; Head Coach 1959–1983).
M.B. MacDevitt Esq.(1962-1965).
S. Maclements Esq. (1968-1972).
J.S. Grey Esq.        (1971–1997; Head Coach 1986-1997).
R. Northridge Esq.   (1972–1973).
R. Bennett Esq.      (1973–1982).
W.S. Anderson Esq. (1974–1986; Head Coach 1986).
I. Mairs Esq.           (1979-1986; Head Coach 1983-1986).
P. Livingstone Esq.  (1984).
S. Hamilton Esq.      (1986).
P. Erwin Esq.          (1986–1995).
R.A. Platt MBE.       (1986–present day; Head Coach 1999–present day).
I. Knox Esq.           (1991–1993).
R. Bryson Esq.        (1997–1999).
D. Hill Esq.             (1998–1999).
G. Kee Esq.            (1998–2000).
K. Ferguson Esq.     (1998–2000; Head Coach 1998-1999).
M.C. Black Esq.       (1998–present day).
W.T. Wright Esq.     (2000-present day).
A.H. Wright Esq.      (2000-present day).
A Beggs Esq.          (2001-2002).
W. McCurdy Esq.     (2003–2004).
P. Braithwaite Esq.  (2004-present day).
R. Cochrane Esq      (2005-present day).

   Education had been carried on in Coleraine for many years by the Irish Society and by various private schools but around the middle of the 19th century some townspeople felt that there was a need for a local school where the sons of middle class families could obtain a classical education and one that would fit them for a career in business.  The Irish Society provided a grant and the Clothworkers Company, who owned the land, gave a 5-acre site.  The first proposals for what became Coleraine Academical Institution were made in 1846 but had to be laid aside during the period of the Great Irish Famine.

     The school was built over a seven year period from 1854 to 1860. In May 1860 the school opened in the original building facing the river.  The original building comprised “dining and common halls, two schoolrooms, a museum, a laboratory and a schoolmaster's house", and the first intake consisted of two masters and fourteen boys.  In 1876 a large wing was added, followed in 1880 by a sanatorium and in 1882 by a gymnasium. In 1894 a four storey building with basement was added, known variously as 'the Old Boys Wing' and - latterly - 'the Gods'.  Due to instability, its top storey was removed in 1929 and replaced by a hipped roof, but to this day it remains the most conspicuous landmark.  

     During his time as Headmaster which included part of the fifties, sixties and seventies, Dr Humphreys guided a vast physical expansion of the school and was invited into membership of the Headmasters Conference, and the Inst became an 'H.M.C', or Public School.

     The present range of school sports is housed on an estate with ten rugby pitches, five cricket wickets, five tennis counts, a sports hall, a boathouse, an indoor swimming pool and a hard running track and field athletics area.

    The original school sports were cricket and athletics, but competitive rugby and rowing seem to have started later.  The first recorded rowing race took place in 1929 against Portora Royal School in the Wray Cup. In this period the school boys rowed from Bann Rowing Club’s boathouse until 1968 when the school’s River Pavilion was opened by HRH the Duke and Duchess of Kent.  Along with an extension added in later years, the boathouse on the ground floor of the River Pavilion is still the home of C.A.I.B.C. today.

(Adapted from “COLERAINE INST: 1860 – 2002” J. Cassells.)