Mayo charity swim organisers thank all involved for ‘roaring’ success

Organisers of the Roonagh pier to Clare Island charity swim have thanked those involved, calling the event ‘a roaring community success’. 

The idea for the challenge came from a chat between a few swimmers after a short swim in Clew-bay in late summer 2023 and a decision was made to attempt the swim to Clare Island in 2024. 

In the weeks and months that followed, as more and more swimmers from Mayo and beyond committed to taking part, it was decided that the opportunity to raise funds for both Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Order of Malta Louisburgh.

“Such lofty ambitions are all well and good, but their realisation is entirely contingent on the generosity of suitably motivated volunteers, equipped with the necessary resources and skills to support the swim,” wrote the organisers in a letter of appreciation.

“Thankfully, when asked to give freely of the aforementioned skills and resources, those that were asked committed enthusiastically. Without this ‘meitheal’, where the entire community bought into the ideal, this event could not have gone ahead,” they continued.

The swim took place on August 31, after being cancelled twice previously due to unsuitable maritime conditions. 

Forty-five swimmers attempted the crossing, all of them completing the swim under the three-hour time limit. They were supported in the water by a medical team, their personal kayaker and support boats, and on shore by half the county. 

“A festival atmosphere in Roonagh, charged with nervous energy and bonhomie, set them on their way at 8.30am and the celebrations on the shore in Clare Island that followed will live long in the memory. Emerging onto the beach from the deep, they were wrapped in the warm embrace of the world-renowned Clare Island welcome. 

“The salt water consumed on the crossing was diluted with more delectable food and drink from the Community Centre as the sun started to sink behind Cnoc Mór. Magical tunes from James Langan, Reiltín and Ellen Shaw, Sorcha Hellberg and internationally acclaimed and multi award-winning uilleann piper and flute player Louise Mulcahy set the stage to get the hearts pumping and the toes tapping and ‘took the talk’ from all that had gathered,” added the organisers.

The initial fundraising target of €100 per swimmer, or €50,000, to be shared equally between the two chosen charities was impressively surpassed with €52,938.76 being raised.

“A massive thank you to all of you donors (far too many to thank individually and many of whom donated anonymously) who gave so generously. A huge thank you also to the following, in alphabetical order, who made the ‘meitheal’,” wrote organisers.

The organisers continued to thank all people and businesses who supported the event in any way.

“Lastly and most importantly, thank you to the supporters who responded to the call, dug deep into your pockets to support two worthy causes and waved off and cheered home the participants - you showcased the community spirit that burns long and strong in West Mayo…there’s talk of ‘Turk’ for 2025,” concluded organisers.