The Liffey Swim
| The Liffey Swim - An Snámh na Life | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1920 |
| Inaugural Winner | J.J. "Jack" Kennedy (Sandycove SC) |
| Most Wins Men | Richard N. "Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC), 1934,1936,1937,1938 |
| Most Wins Women | Siobhán Hoare (Half Moon SC), 1988, 1991 |
| Current Year | 6 August 2016 |
| Current Edition | 97th |
| Sport | Open Sea Swimming |
| Region | Leinster |
| City | Dublin |
| Men's Trophy | Irish Independent Cup |
| Women's Trophy | Ladies Challenge Cup |
| Current Holder Men | Brian Murray [50] (Eastern Bay SC) |
| Current Holder Women | Jennifer Gilbert [34] (Swim4Life SC) |
| Fastest Swim Men | Conor Turner (North Dublin SC) 24:06 (152nd) |
| Fastest Swim Women | Ciara Doran (City of Derry SC) 23:01 (145th) |
| Team Winner Men | NAC Masters SC (8,9,11,14) 42pts |
| Team Winner Women | Dublin SC (2,8,9,10) 29pts |
| Organising Body | Leinster Open Sea (http://leinsteropensea.ie/) |
| Current Sponsor | Dublin City Council (Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath) |
The Liffey Swim, currently titled the Dublin City Liffey Swim, is an annual race in Dublin's main river, the Liffey, and is one of Ireland's most famous traditional sporting events. The race is managed by a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, Leinster Open Sea. The 97th Liffey Swim took place on Saturday 6 August 2016, starting at the Rory O’Moore Bridge (Watling Street Bridge) beside the Guinness Brewery.
The race is one of the last swims in a season of 30 open sea races held during the summer months, organised by Leinster Open Sea, and takes place usually on a Saturday in either late August or early September. Entrants to the Liffey Swim must complete six qualifying open sea races from the annual Leinster Open Sea Calendar (up from four pre-2015). Many levels and ages of swimmers compete in the race, but entrants must be a member of a swimming club. International competitors are common. The race is handicapped with the slowest swimmers starting first and the fastest last. In 2016 267 men and 147 women took part in the 97th Liffey Swim. For five years between 1934 and 1938, the Liffey Swim was run as a scratch race.
The race starts at Rory O'More Bridge near the Guinness Brewery and takes competitors past landmarks such as the Four Courts. The competitors swim under James Joyce Bridge, Mellows Bridge, Father Mathew Bridge, O'Donovan Rossa Bridge, Grattan Bridge, Millenium Bridge, Liffey Bridge, O'Connell Bridge, Rosie Hackett Bridge, Butt Bridge and Loopline Bridge near The Custom House. Average entry is 200 males and 80 females. Wetsuits are not allowed. The race is held in the tidal section of the river meaning it is flushed twice daily. Due to the tidal nature of the Liffey, race times vary from year to year.
...
Wikipedia