Displaying items by tag: Kerry councillor

17th November 2021

Kerry Councillor Reiterates Call for Research Vessel RV Tom Crean to be Named in the County

A Kerry councillor's call is to have the Marine Institute's newbuild research vessel (RV) Tom Crean be named in the south-west county in honour of the Annascaul-born Antartic explorer.

A Kerry county councillor says it's appropriate that a vessel to be named after Kerry's Antarctic explorer would officially take place in the county.

The Marine Institute has commissioned a new research vessel, which is to be named the RV Tom Crean in honour of the explorer.

In 1893 at the age of 16, Tom Crean departed Minard in Lispole and joined the Royal Navy.

In the early 1900s, he was part of three British expeditions which had hoped to be the first to reach the South Pole.

He received an Albert Medal for his lifesaving efforts during the final expedition.

Last year, the Marine Institute commissioned a research vessel, which they intend to name the RV Tom Crean as revealed by Afloat back in January.

For more on the councillor's call, click onto Radio Kerry's coverage in addition the last update on the newbuild's progress.

Published in RV Tom Crean

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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.