Barry Rooney Christmas Swim

My brother sadly passed away in Sydney on 17th of August this year. It was a very traumatic time for our family, but we were able to bring Barry home to Ireland with the help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Since 2013, this amazing charity has helped repatriate over 700 people who have died abroad suddenly, and we are eternally grateful for the support they gave our family, in helping us bring Barry home to Galway. 


To commemorate Barry's life and to raise funds and pay it forward for other families to avail of this vital service we will be braving the wild Atlantic coast for a swim on Christmas morning at 11am, Blackrock, Galway.


Barry braved the waters himself on a blustery Christmas morning in 2016, earning a picture spot in a national newspaper. We didn't hear the end of it the entire Christmas. It was like he swam the channel :) This is a very special memory as my Mum, who also sadly passed away in November this year was shouting him on from the sidelines (warmth of the car:) 


It's been a very tough couple of months for us, our extended family and friends. It's for this reason we want to honour both Barry and Ita's memory by doing something completely daft and hauling our asses out of bed on Christmas morning to flail around in the baltic waters of the Galway coast. 


Washing away 2019 and welcoming happier times for 2020. 



2019 swimmers (so far...)
1.) Mike Rooney (Father, big fish) 
2.) Emma Rooney(Sister, ringleader) 
3.) Tara Rooney ( Sister, eldest and most excited about this challenge;) 
4.) Paul Fitzgerald (Brother-in-law, Perfect Paul)
5.) Diarmuid Fitzgerald (nephew 8yrs, daredevil)
6.) Eimear Fitzgerald (niece 5yrs, unicorn shark)
7.) Roisin Fitzgerald (niece 3yrs, baby shark)
8.) Conor McCaffrey (2016 Christmas swim OG)
9.) Erin McInerney (Cousin, Doctor(specialised in mouth to mouth)
10.) Sarah McInerney (Cousin, money woman boss bitch)
11.) Padraic McInerney (Cousin, Red)
12.) Olwynn McInerney (Cousin, fashionista)
13.) Valerie Conroy (Cousin/baby sister, mushroom head)
14.) Shauna McInerney (Cousin, Science boss bitch)
15.) Louise McInerney (Cousin, fabulous)
16.) Orla McInerney (Cousin, fighter)
17.) Darragh McInerney (Cousin, London init)
18.) Belle, fluffball 

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1.) Join me: Technically it's warmer in the ocean in the winter than on land, so it can't be that bad! 
2.) Cheer us on from the sidelines: (hot chocolate/whiskeys welcome)
3.) Donations: We are grateful for any donation, however big or small
4.) Share the link and story with your connections on all of your social media platforms

When: Dec 25th, 11am
Where: Blackrock, Salthill, Galway