“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s been fantastic..”
The words of round-Ireland sea swimmer Daragh Morgan (27), who is on the home stretch of his circumnavigation around Ireland.
Weather permitting, he hopes to reach Galway’s Blackrock Tower, where he started out from late last May, within the next few days.
Skipper and navigator for the trip is Dara Bailey, fisherman, sailor and son of the late and legendary Johnny Bailey. He has been providing support for Morgan from the Galway Hooker Naomh Crónán maintained by Badóirí an Cladaigh.
On board the Galway Hooker Naomh Crónán (Left to right) crew Ken O'Driscoll, swimmer Daragh Morgan and skipper Dara Bailey before heading out on one of the final stretches of Morgan's round Ireland swim.
“I didn’t even flinch about it- a lot of other people were telling him it wasn’t possible… if you try it and you fail by trying it, that’s ok,” Bailey said.
Morgan pays tribute to Bailey, to Bádóirí an Cladaigh, and to the many supporters on land and sea, including voluntary crew like Ken O’Driscoll, a Dubliner, who was on board the Naomh Crónán last weekend.
He says he has had amazing encouragement from fishing communities, swimmers and others around the coast, and he singled out the south-east as one of the most challenging stretches.
Daragh Morgan – Swimming has always been my escape; every stroke feels like freedom
Lion’s Mane and Mauve stingers were among the jellyfish he encountered during swims, which averaged out around 16km to 17km a day.
The challenge, named SwimÉire, is in aid of Simon and the RNLI, and donations can still be accepted on www.swimeire.ie
Morgan and Bailey spoke to Wavelengths, with just 70 km to go, and you can listen below.
