Displaying items by tag: Belfast Harlequins

20th September 2010

HM Coastguard Wins GAA Match

You know they'll always be there when you need them, but some of the guys from HM Coastguard serving County Down had the opportunity recently to talents of a different kind as they took part in the fifth annual Security & Emergency Services Ireland Forum sports competition held at the home of Belfast Harlequins.

The event involves members of the security and emergency services from across Ireland who could find themselves called upon to cope with major incidents or natural disasters. They come together once a year to build relationships through a day of sporting challenge. The informal associations forged at the sports day help to reinforce a team spirit which could one day prove invaluable.

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Pictured celebrating their victory in the 7-a-side Gaelic Football competition are members of Team Coastguard, from left, Conor McCombe, Ciaran McCann, Jonty Addis and John Lowry, all from County Down

Published in Coastguard

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.