About Us

Irish Night—Row On for Brendan is a lively performance of Irish music and dance held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a tribute to Brendan Foley, who brightened the halls of Central Catholic High School, rowed for the school, and left the world a better place for his 15-and-a-half years of life.

Thanks to the grace and generosity of Brendan's family and friends, Irish Night is also the principal fund-raiser for both Brendan's own Central Catholic Crew. Irish Night allows Central Catholic Crew to maintain their fleet and equipment; including shells, oars and coxswain gear. It also gives each rower an opportunity to excel at this demanding sport and represent Central Catholic, as well as Pittsburgh, on the rowing stage.

Irish Night is now in its twenty-ninth year. For over the past 20+ years Irish Night has raised more than $600,000 for Central Catholic Crew and Oakland Catholic Rowing.

Irish Night—Row On for Brendan is a proud tradition that allows Central Catholic Crew to continue to form lasting influences in the lives of the young men they train.

Irish Night's signature tune is Row On, a lament found by Gail Huntington in an 1864 journal from the New Bedford whaler Three Brothers set to a tune by Tim Laycock. Listen below to a version performed by Bruce Foley.