Synchronised swimming performance in aid of Irish Hospice Foundation

A group of 20 sea swimmers will give a unique performance at Clontarf Baths this evening in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation.

The group has been training for the past six weeks and the synchronised swimming event has been described as like “strictly come dancing in the water.”

Green Party councillor Donna Cooney, who came up with the idea and is taking part in the performance said the fundraiser has been a great success so far.

“So many people have taken to the cold Irish water swimming recently and this could be the start of a new trend.

“We certainly didn’t have any difficulty signing up a team of twenty for this event, even though we train outdoors in cold water as early as 7am for up to an hour,” she said.

“We have nineteen women and one man participating, so this may be one of the rare sports where women outnumber the men.

“Participants are all ages and abilities, three duets, a mother and daughter Anna and Emma; or Declan and Siobhan a couple in their 60’s swimming together for over 30 years, and our two super star international synchronised swimmers, Lottie Gray is a student in Trinity and the other Caitlin Hayter is a radiographer in the Bons Secours hospital in Glasnevin both used to the hotter waters of the South Africia and the Cayman islands then the Irish Sea.”

The fundraiser has raised nearly €6,000 so far and has been praised by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland.

“This is a truly unique fundraising event for hospice taking place in Clontarf Baths and I’m truly delighted to attend as the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

“The participants and organisers have put enormous dedication into putting on this performance and I’m really looking forward to the event.“

The performance kicks off at 6:30pm this evening at Clontarf Baths and the fundraising page can be found here: https://www.idonate.ie/SynchronisedSwimming