It's a long way to Tipperary

This May, I'll be swimming the River Shannon from the North shores of Lough Allen to the twin towns of Killaloe/Ballina, a journey of over 200 kilometers. It’s a long way to Tipperary.

The idea came about a couple of years ago when my parents and I were driving through Athlone, and we crossed the River Shannon. I grew up on the banks of the Shannon Estuary, but this was the first time that the true length of the River Shannon dawned on me. I asked my father if he thought anyone had ever swum it, and he said he didn't know but that if I wanted to, he'd help me out. He was always keen to come and support my swimming endeavours: coming down to the riverbank with a rope to tow me out of the mud on my first estuary swim at the bottom of the garden at home and flying to the UK to walk the banks of the Thames during my first Marathon swim. Sadly, he won't be around to witness my greatest swimming adventure yet, but he'll be with me every step of the way.

For me this swim is all about the adventure. I’m so looking forward to a month living aboard my cousin’s barge, swimming a bit, eating a lot, drinking copious mugs of tea, and catching up with family and friends who’ve kindly volunteered there time to support me. I’m excited to experience the course of this beautiful river and the flora and fauna along its shores. The longer the swim takes the better!

I’ll be fundraising for Irish Seed Savers Association, a charity close to our hearts. My father Ted was a long-term supporter of the organisation and was their chairperson before his passing at the end of 2021. Irish Seed Savers work focuses on the conservation of heirloom vegetable seeds and Irish heritage apple trees. They maintain the country’s only public seed bank, with over 600 varieties of seed. They also house the national collection of Irish heritage apple trees in their orchards, with over 180 unique varieties. One of Irish Seed Savers' main aims is to educate the public about all aspects of biodiversity through their workshops with people of all ages. Any donation big or small will allow them to continue their understated but vital role in maintaining the future of Ireland’s agricultural biodiversity. And if you're not in a place to donate financially perhaps, you could take a look at Irish Seed Savers Website to explore the scope of the work they do.

Thank you for considering a donation!