Thousands of people turned out in Dublin on Saturday to see more than 400 competitors swim a 2.2 kilometre distance from Rory O’Moore Bridge near Heuston Station to the Customs House as part of the annual Liffey Swim.
The brave souls - who were treated to a fresh water shower on emerging from the Liffey courtesy of Dublin Fire Brigade – attracted great clapping and cheers from locals and tourists alike as they swam past Collins Barracks, the Four Courts, the Civic Offices, under O’Connell Bridge and past Liberty Hall.
Delighted with her performance was Helena Butterfield (51) from Sandymount who declared “I just love it”.
Ms Butterfield, who trains two or three times a week, said she has been competing in the Liffey Swim for about 20 years and if there is anything suspect in the water, “then I must be immune to it”.
“There is nothing in the water except seaweed and that is a good thing”, asserted Ms Butterfield’s fellow finisher Thelma Jones (58) from Rathgar.
“I believe in it” she declared through lips that were almost totally blue. “Swimmers don’t care who you are or what you are, once you are in the water and putting one arm in front of the other you are just a swimmer”.
She added there were tremendous health benefits and positive endorphins - good feelings generated by exercise - to be had from swimming.
Ms Jones, a former user of Glenalbyn Swimming Club in south Dublin, had little good to say about Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s recent report which implied there may not be a need for a swimming pool in Stillorgan, because the population was ageing.
“I’m 58 and more than 50 percent of the women here are over 50” she declared with enthusiasm.
Saoirse Miller (15) from Artane was on her second annual Liffey Swim and although she said she had temporarily lost her friends and her clothes, she maintained she was neither cold not exhausted. “It is so much fun” she said.
Lorna Farren from Mespil Club said “the water temperature was pretty good”. A three-time veteran of the swim, she said she was in great form.
Also in great form wandering among the crowds was Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan. “I don’t swim that much,” revealed the well-known cyclist adding that he had family members in the race.
Mr Keegan confided he is something of a canoeist having canoed on the Nile and the Zambezi rivers in Africa. Next weekend sees him take part in the annual Liffey descent - “but don’t mention that” he laughed.
“Too late” we said to the sound of his laughter. But we asked more seriously, “isn’t it a great day for Dublin with onlookers lining the quays, tourists about, traders doing well and everyone having a good time.”
“You write it”, he said, “I’ll sign it”.
When the prizes were being handed out, first place for the men’s section went to swimmer number 260, Donncha O’Siadhail of the Swim4Life Club. Orla Walsh from the ESB Swimming Club was the winner of the ladies’ trophy.
“But” we asked the organisers , “wasn’t Sarah Demers, number 133 from Ohio first past the post?”
“Maybe,” came the reply from a steward, “but to win you have to qualify in heats orgainsed by Irish Clubs. All other entrants are welcome guests”.
It must be something in the water.
