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Displaying items by tag: American College Football

A naval visitor arrived to Dublin Port this afternoon as the USS Mesa Verde is on a courtesy call to the capital to coincide with an American football match classic which is to be held tomorrow, Saturday.

The United States Navy USS Mesa Verde is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock vessel which had departed Narvik, Norway following what is understood to be training exercises held with their NATO Nordic ally.

Upon arrival to Dublin port’s fairway, tugs approached the naval vessel to the Deepwater Berth on the south quays.

Attending the USS Mesa Verde, Afloat noted the tugs Beaufort at the bow whereas Shackleton and Giano were on duty off the stern of the large naval vessel which docked at Berth 46. This part of the port is a restricted operational area and where such larger naval visitors berth.

USS Mesa Verde is visiting Dublin Port ahead of the 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Navy Midshipmen and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Up to 40,000 spectators are expected at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road including crew and marines of the 699 personnel of the foreign naval vessel.

In addition to tomorrow evening's sporting event in Ballsbridge, US military aircraft will be making a flyover above the capital.

Prior to the vessel’s arrival, the Naval Service OPV90 /P60 series leadship, L.E. Samuel Beckett had this morning berthed upriver at Sir John Rogerson's Quay.

The L.E. Samuel Beckett is one of just two operational patrol vessels of the Naval Service will be making a shorter call in the capital whereas the USS Mesa Verde is to remain until Tuesday morning.

Published in Naval Visits

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of.   For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water.  The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.

The Forty-foot Christmas Day swim

A Dublin institution that brings people from across Dublin and beyond for a dip in the chilly winter sea. Bathers arrive in the dark from 6 am and by noon the entire forty foot is a sea of red Santa hats!