The third Galley Head Swim held on the 17th of July in the West Cork village of Rosscarberry was a huge success.
The 10km swim challenge has grown year on year with participant numbers growing from 26 swimmers and fifteen boats in 2019, to 164 swimmers and 63 boats in 2021.
The idea came from a conversation that was had between friends over pints on a holiday in Austria 3 years ago.
It has now turned into one of Cork’s most successful charity fundraisers, raising €113,220 for Marymount Hospice and West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue.
One of the committee members, Geoff Wycherley said it's amazing how much its grown:
“What started as an event for the local community using the spectacular natural resources of the West Cork coastline has now drawn swimmers from all over Ireland and the UK."
“These past two years have been extremely difficult for everyone but especially charities who rely on the public's donations and the Galley Head Swim Committee are extremely happy to be able to help."
Geoff remembers how it all began:
"We were talking about how the West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue volunteers had to buy their own equipment and felt something needed to be done about it.”
The swim had 40 relay teams and 20 solo swimmers complete the course in times varying from 2 hrs 35 minutes up to 4 hrs 30 minutes to raise the funds for charity.
Thanks to a team of volunteers, every cent raised goes between the two charities.
The first event in 2019 raised €17,400, in 2020 they managed to raise €55,742 and in July the figure was €113,220.
