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THE GEANSAÍ

The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Tús Áite na bhFear Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Tús Áite na bhFear
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Sinéad Delaney Winner 2019 with Lord Mayor and her Mother Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Sinéad Delaney Winner 2019 with Lord Mayor and her Mother
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Paul O'Flynn Winner 2018 Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Paul O'Flynn Winner 2018
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Mná na Life Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Mná na Life
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Men in the Water incl John Mulvey 1969 Winner Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Men in the Water incl John Mulvey 1969 Winner
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Mark Hanley NDSC Winner With Lord Mayor Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Mark Hanley NDSC Winner With Lord Mayor
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Maria Schaeler NAC Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Maria Schaeler NAC
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Liffey Showers Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Liffey Showers
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Island Swim Howth Boat full of Swimmers Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Island Swim Howth Boat full of Swimmers
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Finish Aerial Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Finish Aerial
The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Ádh Mór Image Name: The Geansaí 100 Bliain ag Snámh - Ádh Mór

The 100th Liffey Swim – 100 bliain ag Snámh

The second episode of the new series of The Geansaí, focussing on Ireland’s sporting communities and their stories,  marks the 100th Liffey Swim from near the Guinness Brewery to Custom House Quay.  This year because it’s such a special year there’s been a huge demand  to enter the 2.2km race which is the highlight of the year for Leinster Open Sea Swimmers.  Over 600 men and women qualified to brave the Liffey’s waters but the excitement belies the hard work, training and qualifying competitive swims up and down the coast that have gone into getting each of them ready for the big day.  

“Chuala mé go raibh sé cinneál fuar san uisce agus bhí roinnt scéalta nach raibh sé comh ghlan is gur  chóir  dó a bheith.  So tá mé ag iarraidh é sin a chur as mo cheann agus taitneamh as bhaint as an snámh.” 

Maria Schäler –  NAC Masters

The 2019 Liffey Swim went ahead despite fears about the quality of the water due to sewage overflows after recent heavy rain.

“It’s really disappointing – the swim was invented 100 years ago to show that the quality of the water in the Liffey was OK to swim in and  here we are 100 years later and it’s still not good enough to swim in really but this is a hardy bunch and everybody is looking forward to it… people had to qualify with 12 swims – nobody was going to give it up.  you know,  hold your mouth and go for it !”

Paul O’Flynn  – Liffey Winner 2018

Before taking the plunge, last year’s Men’s winner –  RTÉ Sports presenter Paul O’Flynn –  had no illusions about his chances of a repeat victory.

“The handicappers ensure that  you get one chance to win the Liffey and one chance only… I went off 8 minutes last year I’m on 12’15” today … I am here for the day out! But I’ll give it a shot anyway.”

Paul O’Flynn  – Liffey Winner 2018

Another former winner who was giving it a go again this year, is John Mulvey.  He  was back in the water 50 years after winning the race in 1969,  this time together with two of his own children.

“I was 14 years of age … just so young, just a kid… but it was great and you know in that era there was a lot of young teenagers were winning it..”  John Mulvey  – Liffey Winner 1969

Reporter/ Presenter :  PÁDRAIG O’DRISCOLL

Exec. Producer & Director:  KEVIN CUMMINS