The Mayor of Clare today called on the people of Doolin and surrounding areas to show their support for a group of charity swimmers participating in an open water swim from The Aran Islands to Doolin this weekend.
13 swimmers, triathletes and life guards have undertaken months of intensive training ahead of Saturday’s Aran Swim, which will raise funds for a new national Neuro-Surgery Unit for Temple Street Children's University Hospital.
Swimmers will be supported by Doolin Coast Guard and a number of kayaks and boats on the day, all volunteering to support the worthy cause. The event is expected to start from Inisheer at 1.45pm with swimmers arriving at Doolin pier from 4.30 onwards, depending on the weather and sea conditions.
Commenting on the swim from Inisheer Pier to Doolin Pier, Mayor Christy Curtin said: “I would like to wish the participants of this charity event the very best of luck this coming Saturday as they prepare to swim across a difficult stretch of water. I would urge members of the public to show their support to the swimmers and ensure that this fundraising swim raises much needed funds for this year’s chosen charity, Temple Street Children’s Hospital.”
Participants include Seamus Mulcahy (Limerick native living in Ennis), Aoife Cosgrove (Tuam native living in Ennis), Colm Fitzgerald (Shannon), Linda Clarke (Dublin), Pat Finn, Adrian Cosgrove, Niall O’Farrell, Kevin O’Farrell, Cian O’Sullivan, Mikey Milane and Donal McCarthy (all Ennis), and Paul Kearney and Deirdre Kearney (both Limerick).
Event participant Aoife Cosgrave commented: “Temple Street Children’s University Hospital provides care to sick or injured children from all over Ireland. The hospital prides itself on striving to provide only the very best standard of care available to every single child that passes through their doors. However, the hospitals dedicated team of carers highly relies on fundraising and the generosity of supporters nationwide to aid the hospital in strengthening its position at the forefront of paediatrics in Ireland. Currently the hospital is raising funds for a new Neurosurgery unit which will be heavily dependent on fundraising events held across the country.”
Ms. Cosgrave thanked the local community in Inisheer and Doolin for their support to date and added: “Both swimmers and support crew alike have been training and preparing for months for the swim, and recently testing out the swim site itself in conjunction with Doolin Coast Guard who will be present on the day and coordinating the event safety. The tired swimmers, volunteers and the Doolin Coast Guard who have kept the swimmers safe during the summer will then enjoy a night and barbeque in Hotel Doolin with live music. All are welcome.”
For more visit www.mycharity.ie/event/aranswimchallenge or www.swimaran.wordpress.com, call Pat Finn on 086-3133602 or email padraigmacfhinn@gmail.com.
For more see www.facebook.com/pages/Swim-Aran-Challenge/305124369333
