By Eoin McGarvey
Saturday afternoon saw a group of mainland swimmers travel to Arranmore Island to join the now renowned 83-years-old islander Paddy Connaghan for a swim to highlight men’s mental health.
It was a windy day, one that saw the Arranmore ferries cancel some early morning sailings.
The weather however, was being closely monitored by Charlie ‘The Yank’ Boyle who was determined to take his group of Carrickfin Boatstrand dippers across the water once the green light was given for the 3pm sailing.
Having not so great sea legs, this writer was a little apprehensive about the 20-minute crossing on a windy day. Into the red ferry office I go to be greeted by the friendly Rosemary.
“Is it choppy?” I ask. “Not at all, you’ll be grand, it’s fine.”
When I queried if I’d get sick on the crossing, the reply was: “Well if you do, get sick over the side!”.
This should have been my alarm bell, but with my swimmer sister Mary Logue egging me to go as the designated photographer, I decided I’d take the gamble.
Onto the ferry we went, and as the door closed while the boat bounced at the pier, I feared what lay ahead when we entered that infamous open stretch of water on the approach to the island.
Off we went, not too rocky initially, but after we got through the ‘black hole’ it was a different story.
I quickly made a deck exit and headed indoors to the seated area where several other passengers were also a bit iffy about the waves.
Met Éireann was showing 49kmh winds with gusts of 77kmh, but maybe to an islander or someone with sea legs, that’s only a breeze.
To this writer and at least one of the other indoor passengers, it was suddenly not a good idea on a Sunday afternoon.
Where was my sister who talked me into this? Out on the deck with her phone taking photos of the waves, popping her head in now and again to see the colour drain from my face.
Finally on solid ground, one passenger reassured me that it would be better on the way back. “We’ll have the wind with us,” he reassured me.
Anyway, the swimmers gathered just up from the pier and were met by islander Jerry Early and Paddy Connaghan who has dipped at lakes and piers all around Ireland.
This organised dip was to raise awareness of men’s mental health.
Charlie Boyle takes up the story: “The focus of the March swims is on men’s mental health and where signposting of support is important.
“About two months ago myself and two mates agreed to do a daily check in via WhatsApp. One of the group had slipped into a place he’d rather not have been and neither did the other two want him to be again. It was good he had the safety of a place to declare this.”
The group posed for a photo and off they went down the slipway into the cold and choppy Atlantic waters led by Paddy Connaghan, who was first in and last out as it happened.
About ten minutes in the choppy sea for the swimmers and back to dry land for a quick change and a chat, with Orla Boyle telling me I should try it.
Jerry Early tells us there’s a hot tea or coffee and maybe a few slices of pizza awaiting in his bar just up around the corner. On a cold windy day, a hot drink is not to be refused.
The open fire is lit, and the kettle is on the boil as the group of 15 or so arrive to heat up and await the 5.30pm ferry.
On the return journey to Burtonport, the sea remained choppy, and the comfort and safety of the seating area was availed of once again.
On terra firma Charlie Boyle said: “Rough enough conditions going in on the ferry but worth every wave.
Conditions for the swim were challenging enough but with half of the Arranmore RNLI lifeboat crew on hand, we were safe.”
He paid tribute to Elaine Barney Boyle, Jerry Early, Mickey Dubh Mc Hugh and others for the now famous ‘failte’ to Arranmore.
“Thank you to Arranmore Ferry for getting us in and out safely. Most of all thanks to Paddy Conaghan who has done so much to highlight open water swimming and that at 83 you are a world class sportsman if you want to. An afternoon very well spent,” he added.
Mary Logue and Sally Rodgers with renowned swimmer Paddy Connaghan in Arranmore on Saturday.
Elaine Barney Boyle with Maryanne Grady, Barney Grady, Grace Ward and Ruby Reynolds at Saturday’s Arranmore swim.
Marie Ward, Kayla Early, Chris McHugh and Bill McDonough at the swim on Arranmore Island on Saturday
Orla Boyle, Mary Logue and Sally Rodgers at the Arranmore swim on Saturday, highlighting men’s mental health.
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