Displaying items by tag: All In A Row Liffey Challenge

18th February 2024

All In A Row Liffey Challenge Raises €20,000 for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit

Dubliners came together early last December for the All In A Row Liffey Challenge, with the aim of raising funds for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit. The challenge for the rowers and paddlers was to smash a 1,000km target in just eight hours.

Over fifty boats, including skiffs, kayaks, canoes, dragon boats and currachs, took to the River Liffey to complete the challenge. The rowers, paddlers, supporters and sponsors all showed great generosity, and special thanks were given to Dublin Port, Dublin City Council, Google, Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, SIPTU painters and Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association for their valued support.

The event, organised by the All in a Row Challenge Crew, started from St. Patrick’s Rowing Club at the Tom Clarke Bridge (formerly the East Link Bridge). The rowers turned just before the Ha’penny Bridge, rowing back down the river to the Tom Clarke Bridge. This annual challenge is undertaken to showcase the River Liffey as one of Dublin’s best amenities while raising funds for the water-related charities, RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.

The event raised an impressive €20,000 this year for these two rescue charities. The All In A Row Liffey Challenge has become a beloved event in the Dublin community, bringing people together to support important causes while celebrating the city’s beautiful River Liffey.

Dave Kelly, Founder of All in a Row Liffey Challenge, receiving a photo print from the photographer Alan Betson

The All in a Row Crew are Dave Kelly(Chair) - Draiocht Na Life, Philip Murphy -St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Eoin Gaffney - Phoenix Masters Swimming Club, Mick Curry -Stella Maris Rowing Club, Peter Carey – Phoenix Rowing Club, Richie Nolan – Phoenix Rowing Club, Joe Morrison – East Wall Water Sports Group, Dave Cox – St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Gerry Coonan – Wild Water Kayak Club, Seamus Hallahan – Dublin Vikings Dragon Boats, Eugene Kierans & Richard Kaye – Irish Underwater Search and Recovery, Rose Michael, Royal National Lifeboat Institution- Howth Lifeboat Station.

On-the-water support was provided by RNLI Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club, East Wall Water Sports Centre and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit. The Sea Scouts from 1st Port Dublin and
5th Wicklow (Bray) provided very welcome hot drinks ashore.

The RNLI Water Safety Teams from Howth and Dun Laoghaire were on shore sharing water safety advice and lifejacket information.

Published in River Liffey

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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.