Open water swimmers have raised at least 140,000 euro for Cancer Care West during the Frances Thornton Memorial Swim across Galway Bay.
The 124 swimmers who participated in the 13km crossing faced “very challenging” conditions, the organisers have said, which were last experienced in 2012.
The 14th annual open water swim, initiated in memory of the late Frances Thornton in 2006, has raised over 1 million euro for Cancer Care West to date.
Spectators gathered on the shore for the Frances Thornton Memorial Swim across Galway Bay
Cancer Care West head of fundraising and communications Dave O’Donnell said that while 140,000 euro had been raised in total for this year’s swim – well over the target of 100,000 euro - the final figure would be confirmed when all donations are in.
Paddy McNamara, who is safety officer and one of the swim’s main organisers, noted that wind veered from southerly to western to north-westerly during the crossing which began off Aughinish early last Saturday, July 20th.
The 124 swimmers who participated in the 13km crossing faced “very challenging” conditions
The 124 swimmers included 43 solo and 26 relay teams – with a total of 81 relay team swimmers – and were swimming directly into the wind for most of the time.
“This, along with wave height made for very challenging conditions,” McNamara said.
The swell, rain and colder than usual north-westerly wind force four to five added to the obstacles.
The event is not billed as a race, but results are published.
First swimmers home were solo swimmers Alan Corby and Ailbhe Mulhall in times of 3.46 hours and 4.03 hours respectively.
The first relay team home were Brian, Enda and Rory Coll and Riana Parsons in a time of 4.22 hours.
“Any spectators and family members arriving at Blackrock [Salthill] after 1pm to greet the swimmers would only have seen blue skies, sunshine and a calm sea around Blackrock Tower, which is sheltered from the north-westerly wind,” McNamara noted.
The swimmers were supported by over 80 boats and 150 crew in the bay, comprising local fishermen, members of sailing clubs, kayakers, jet skiers, members of the Civil Defence, Ciaran Oliver of Galway Bay Boat Tours, George Curley, Fergus Boyle, Rory O’Hanlon, Cillian Morris, and crews of Oranmore-Maree Coastal Rescue who volunteered their time.
O’Donnell paid tribute to the extended Thornton family, Brian Coll and Paddy McNamara, all the support boats and rescue craft, Rory Quinlan, who checked in boats and “Kevin of Galway”, the event’s photographer.
