Between August 8th and 16th I will attempt to swim the English Channel, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
Guided by a pilot boat wearing just a swim suit, cap and goggles, I will swim from Dover to the French coast (the distance as the crow flies is 21 miles, but with traffic, weather and tides it is most likely to be significantly longer).
If successful I will become the first person from Co. Clare to achieve this feat, often referred to as ‘the Everest of Open Water Swimming’.
In August 1999 I sent my first email inquiry to the Channel Swimming Association, it took...
Story
Between August 8th and 16th I will attempt to swim the English Channel, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
Guided by a pilot boat wearing just a swim suit, cap and goggles, I will swim from Dover to the French coast (the distance as the crow flies is 21 miles, but with traffic, weather and tides it is most likely to be significantly longer).
If successful I will become the first person from Co. Clare to achieve this feat, often referred to as ‘the Everest of Open Water Swimming’.
In August 1999 I sent my first email inquiry to the Channel Swimming Association, it took me over a decade later to send the booking deposit to my pilot Paul Foreman in 2010. I have many dreams - some big, some small, I am very fortunate to have the chance to live my Channel dream in August.
Since last September I have spent countless hours training in pools, lakes, seas, baths and mostly the Shannon Estuary. Long distance training camps in Fuertaventura, Malta, Kinsale and Dover. Weekly yoga classes, physiotherapy visits and sports massage all with the goal of swimming to France.
By the time I arrive on the French shoreline I expect to have clocked up 1,500,000.00 Meters!
Naturally, I could never have got this far alone, I am blessed to have a phenomenal family and friends that have supported me all the way on my rollecoaster journey, no need to list you – you know who you are :)
I personally am funding 100% of all cost’s associated with my challenge and would like to use this opportunity to fundraise for charity. All monies raised by me will go directly to Muscular Dystrophy Ireland and Pieta House.
Please spread the word by sharing this page with your friends.
You can follow me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/FionnualaWalshEnglishChannelSwim2012
Go raibh míle maith agat, Fionnuala.
Supporters
80Conor Coffey
Well done Fionnuala - you're a legend!
Claire Hedderman
A mighty achievement And great tale.
Fintan & Therese Lahiffe
Well Done Fionnuala - fantastic achievement!!
Grace Mahoney
Pattie-UK
Congratulations and well done for having the perseverance to complete a second crossing, not many would have that grit and determination.
Danelle Fitzpatrick
A massive achievement fionnuala!!! Fantastic! Well Done!!!
Supporters
Conor Coffey
Well done Fionnuala - you're a legend!
Claire Hedderman
A mighty achievement And great tale.
Fintan & Therese Lahiffe
Well Done Fionnuala - fantastic achievement!!
Grace Mahoney
Pattie-UK
Congratulations and well done for having the perseverance to complete a second crossing, not many would have that grit and determination.
Danelle Fitzpatrick
A massive achievement fionnuala!!! Fantastic! Well Done!!!
Bridget
Well Done Fionnuala.
Tony Garry
Well done Fionnuala
Glynn Marine Investments
Liana Leonard
Clare O' Sllivan
Two honourable charities. Well done Fionnuala x
David O'Dowd
Any friend of Aisling's is a friend of mine, well done :)
Mary G & David
Finnuola brilliant achievement on swim and fundraising. Well done..
Peter & Jenny
Hard luck on the fog.
Debs & Sean
Fionnuala, Congratulations on an exceptional achievement.
Catherine Keane
That's some achievement, love the Keanes
Noelle O'Connor
Well done Fionnualla, great achievement!
Michael & Patricia Galvin
Well done Fionnuala
Andrea Newport
Well done Fionnuala a fantastic achievement xx
Jacintha McLaughlin
Fionnuala, couldn't be more proud of you! Hope you're enjoying your success. A fantastic achievment! Jacintha & Sean x
Patricia Murphy
Well done Fionnuala. Immense achievement.
Kitty McNamara
Well done Fionnuala, I knew you had it in you Kitty Mcx
Cliona Fitzpatrick
Well done Fionnuala
Martin,June,David & Sarah
Well done.
Mark Murray
Legendary stuff Fionnuala!
Joseph Burke
Trish Lenihan
Well done Fionnuala. You are an inspirational Clare cailín!
Aishling McCormack
Well done fionnula!!!
Hannah Fitzpatrick
Well done Fionnuala!
una mc carthy
best wishes for a great swim you have worked so hard for it we thinking bout you!
niamh
Best of luck water baby
Kate
Best of luck!!!
Bridin Ryan
We are all so proud of your in Clarina...go girl go.....
Cara Callaghan
Well done Fionnuala on an amazing achievement x
Yvonne Browne Kennedy
Fionnuala, I wish you the best of luck, amazing and you will achieve your dream!
Anonymous
Hilary Gleeson
Amazing stuff x
Ben and Liz
Fair play to you Fionnuala!
Daryl Feehely
Good luck Fionnuala :-)
Fiona Power
The very best of luck Fionnuala, you go girl!!
sean
best of luck from all the family,keep up the good work
Nicole
Brilliant darl brilliant
Fiona McNamara
Big respect Fionnuala. Thinking of you. Love & best wishes, Fiona Mc.
Greg & Ann Young
Best of luck Fionnuala Greg & Ann
Dee Carmody
Best of luck - hope it goes well for you. Your brilliant to do itl
Ciaran McCooey
Best of Luck Fionnuala from everyone at Saongroup.com
johanna mcnulty
Good luck Fionnuala!
Marie Galvin
Best of Luck Fionnuala You,ll do us all proud!!!
Fiona Rush
John Glynn
Ursula Normoyle
Go Fionnuala
Marie Nolan
Best of Luck Fionnuala..Your just amazing..xx
Blainagh Troy
Josephine Glynn
Best of luck Fionnnuala
Brid Lillis
Good luck Fionnuala!
Davy and Colette x
Go Fungi go!
Sarah glynn
Fair play fionnuala!
Karen
Well Done Fu Fu. Were very proud of you. From Karen, tom, Aoife & Shane
Anonymous
Best of luck tata Fufu from Kennan, Iifa and Keefe.
Deirdre Zaidan
Best of Luck Fu, from All the Z's x x
Biddy and Fintan
very proud of you girl, best wishes. Biddy and Fintan
Tara
Well done fu. We are so proud of u! love the Brownies!
Anonymous
Patricia Coghlan
Good luck Fionnuala.
Anonymous
Good luck Fionnuala!
Susan O Shea
Best of luck Fionnuala
Deirdre O' Shaughnessy
Ciara Comerford
Serious respect!! Best of luck!!
Morna Glynn
best of luck simone! the best swimmer in ireland. pity the swim is clashing with the olympics, u r the next michelle smith!
Aileen Glynn
Best of luck Aunty Fu Fu!! x
Roisin Glynn
Good luck simone! You've always been a water baby! x
Maeve Evangelista Pã
Best of luck Fu!
Brenda McNamara
The very best of luck Foo, you will does us proud, Kitty will be lighting the candles bx
Brendan Maher
Best of luck Fionnuala
Seamus Kenny
Good luck with the challenge Fionnuala
Croidhe Glynn
Best of luck Fionnuala Simone x
Aisling Glynn
Good luck Simone!
Aidan Walsh
Neil Collins
Best of luck Fionnuala!!!
Anonymous
Best of luck Fionnuala