As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, the Fermanagh Trust is honouring 30 remarkable individuals whose commitment to their communities has made a lasting difference. Each awardee receives a £1,000 bursary to benefit the organisation they’re involved with. A gift that celebrates their service while investing in the future.
Our latest Civic Honour recipient is Iain Kennedy BEM, an Olympian whose unwavering dedication to Enniskillen’s young people through rowing and mental wellbeing spans more than three decades. From Olympic waters to the quiet bends of Lough Erne, Iain’s passion for volunteering has touched thousands of lives and continues to ripple through his community.
Fermanagh Civic Honour Award recipient Iain Kennedy
“I started rowing at school in Coleraine in 1964,” he recalls. “I competed at the 1976 Olympics and went on to coach at Queen’s. There’s been no escape from rowing.”
Iain first got involved in Enniskillen Rowing Club in 1990 after being approached by fellow coach David Stewart. “What really drew me in after the Enniskillen bomb was the club’s ethos. It was one of the few truly cross-community efforts, bringing together people from Portora and St. Michael’s.”
It was a cause he wholeheartedly believed in. “If this club wasn’t cross-community, I wouldn’t be involved. That’s always been key for me.”
Now in his mid-70s, Iain continues to coach 13 to 15 year olds three afternoons a week at Enniskillen Royal Boat Club. “They enjoy hearing my stories as we row through the town about the history, the waterways, the people.” He’s also played a key role in encouraging girls into the sport. “When I started rowing there were no women or girls involved. Now they’re a vital part of the club and it’s much stronger because of it.”
His work is far from routine. “Coaching gives me a real buzz. It’s not a chore; it’s a privilege. I love helping rowers improve. Anyone can teach a natural talent, but it’s the small steps that really matter.”
That philosophy has paid off in spades. In 2024 when Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney, reached the A Final in their first Olympic Games. “Seeing Ross and Nathan compete at the Olympics was very emotional. They were incredibly driven and had natural ability but also a team behind them who nurtured that.”
Despite the accolades, Iain remains humble. “The club has a great team behind the scenes. That’s why I’m embarrassed to receive an award. I accept it on behalf of all of them.”
His impact goes far beyond rowing technique. Deeply committed to the mental wellbeing of young people, Iain takes pride in being a confidant and source of pastoral care for many. During the COVID lockdowns, when rowers were unable to train together, he began sending out weekly ‘Friday letters’. “Funny notes with photos and stories. The feedback was amazing. Someone even called me an ‘influencer’, though I didn’t know what that meant!”
Iain is also a long-time volunteer with the Aisling Centre as a Director on their Board. A vital counselling service born from the tragedy of the Enniskillen bomb. “I’ve volunteered with the Aisling Centre since 2011. I didn’t set out to join, but once I was there, I knew it was the right thing. I like to think people leave the Centre feeling better than when they came in.”
It’s this instinct for service that defines him. “Volunteers are the glue that holds society together. Particularly in rural areas. It keeps people connected.”
Iain’s belief in community was passed down through generations. “I believe I got the desire to help from my father and grandfather. My dad started cricket clubs wherever he went, was with the Red Cross and the RAF. You can’t come into a place and do nothing.”
His motivation remains simple and sincere: “If I didn’t have the rowing club, there would be a huge void in my life. Our generation values experiences more than material things. Volunteering gives you that.”
He will be sharing his Civic Honour award between the Rowing Club and the Aisling Centre. “There are probably lots of people like me out there who have the right mindset for volunteering but just haven’t found the right outlet yet.”
Asked what advice he’d give to others thinking of getting involved, Iain references a quote that’s stuck with him: “Volunteering becomes a habit. I once heard Bishop Mark Jabalé, a Benedictine monk who had a notable connection to rowing, particularly in coaching, say, ‘Give until it hurts.’”