Robert Howard

ROBERT HOWARD  RBAI’s MOST SUCCESSFUL SWIMMER

The new swimming pool will be named in memory of Robbie Howard (Inchmarlo 1960-67 & RBAI 1967-74).

Robbie competed at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, as well as the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand and the subsequent 1978 games Edmonton, Canada. Already the 100m & 200m backstroke champion and Irish senior record holder, Robbie was still in sixth form when he made the final in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Robbie’s achievements were all the more remarkable given that both of his kidneys were obstructed by stones at birth, causing him trouble whilst growing up. Following years of dialysis, he had unsuccessful transplant and had to return to dialysis. Subsequently and tragically Robbie died from complications of this at the age of 57.

Despite his illness, Robbie maintained his passion for swimming and great affinity with RBAI, becoming Treasurer of the Transplant Games and taking a lead in organising RBAI’s 2010 bicentenary celebrations.