15 Dec, 2021
Originally from Tamlaght, Northern Ireland, 26-year-old Holly is county Fermanagh’s most successful rower. Following in her father’s interest in the sport, Holly became involved in rowing at the age of 12, joining Portora Boat Club, Enniskillen. She very quickly progressed through the ranks winning various club accolades including Irish Championship titles and setting new national indoor rowing machine records. In 2008 Holly competed internationally for the first time at the tender age of 14 at the Coupe de la Jeunesse held in Cork. This was the start of her international journey, winning bronze in the women’s eight and coming fifth in the women’s quad. She followed this up by winning two more medals at the same competition the following years. In 2011, she made history becoming Ireland’s first ever athlete to win a medal at the Junior World Championships, when she won silver in the women’s single scull; a remarkable achievement. In 2014 Holly joined GB rowing and in 2015 won a bronze medal in the women’s eight at the Under 23 World Championships. The following year she became Senior World Champion in the women’s four, having just missed out on the Rio Olympics. Despite her Olympic disappointment, in 2017 Holly was soon back amongst the medals, winning a bronze medal at the European Rowing Championships and a further bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in the women’s quad. THE FUTURE Holly continues to follow her dream of representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games. She is currently training relentlessly with the British team at the Olympic training centre based in Caversham. To assist her with her goal, William George Homes has recently provided Holly with a lovely new car to get her to and from those all important training sessions and events. Competing for Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is a very realistic goal and all of those at William George Homes are right behind you Holly!