HEALTH Dip in the Nip dedicated to Mayo woman

CALENDAR GIRL Mona Heneghan, as she appeared in the 2009 Dip in the Nip calendar, created to raise funds for cancer services.?Pic: Frances Muldoon Photography

Dip in the Nip dedicated to an  extraordinary Mayo woman


Many Mayo viewers of ‘Saturday Night with Miriam’ on Saturday, June 11, would have recognised a familiar face in Tourmakeady lady, Maire-Ivanna Heneghan. Appearing alongside ‘Dip in the Nip’ cancer-fundraising event organiser MΡire Garvey and fellow ‘dipper’ Claire Cassidy, MΡire Ivanna spoke about the importance of the event in raising cancer awareness and fundraising for local and national cancer-related charities.
The event, which is in its third year, was promoted extensively by the late Gerry Ryan on his radio show; in fact MΡire Garvey credits Gerry with generating such interest in the event that 180 women from all over Ireland took part in its first year, raising €56,000 between them.
As a major advocate for ‘The Dip’ Mona Heneghan not only took part in the event, but was one of their ‘calendar girls’. Her daughter, Maire-Ivanna, touchingly explained that her mum’s motivation was deeply personal. “My mom, Mona, was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2002. She had surgery and chemotherapy and during the time of her treatment and recovery she began to take stock of her life. She decided to no longer put things on the long finger or turn down opportunities that came her way.
“Among her most treasured memories was The Dip in the Nip, which took place on Lisadell strand in 2009. Ignoring self-consciousness and sporting scars from her many surgeries, she braved the cold Atlantic waters and volunteered to pose for the Dip in the Nip calendar.


DARING DIPPERS Women taking part in the Dip in the Nip on Dunmoran Strand, Co Sligo last year.?Pic: Frances Muldoon Photography

“Posing naked acted as a catayst – bringing together joyful experiences with friends and family during illness and good health; the faith, hope and gratitude she felt for the time she had been given since her initial diagnosis; the kindness and thoughtfulness of those she encountered along the way, and the freedom and confidence inspired by the Dip.”
Sadly, Mona was diagnosed with a swift-growing, aggressive brain tumour, losing her brave battle to cancer in August last year. As a result of Mona’s special involvement in the charity, this years’ event will be dedicated to her. MΡire-Ivanna says it’s a powerful way of honouring Mona. “We, her family and friends are so grateful to have this beautiful momento of Mona and we are proud to support and take part in this year’s Dip in the Nip in her honour.”
This year’s Dip in the Nip will take place in the northwest of Ireland, close to Sligo town, on Saturday, June 25. Síle Seoige will be broadcasting her Newstalk ‘Shenanigans Show’ from Sligo on the day itself, and will be including interviews with Dippers before and after they take the plunge. There is also a Great Big Dipper Party planned for the Saturday night, and there will be a Beach Brekkie after the Dip for all the bedraggled and goose-pimpled Dippers.

Registration for the Dip in the Nip, which takes place this Saturday, June 25, is still open at www.dipinthenip.eu. For more information, call 086 1733019.