the liffey swim: the 1970’s decade part 4 1978 · the leinster branch of the i.a.s.a., announced...

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The Liffey Swim:

The 1970’s Decade – Part 4

1977 – 1978 Cyril J Smyth

Dublin University Central Athletic Club, Sports Centre,

Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2

The 1977 Liffey Swim

The report, commissioned by Dublin City Council, the ESB, and the Port and

Docks Authority to provide an assessment of the present environmental status of

the Liffey from Leixlip, its estuary and Dublin Bay at a cost of £22,500, was

discussed at a special meeting of the City Council’s General Purposes

Committee.1,2,3 The research studies carried out by Professor D.J. Crisp of the

University of North Wales (now Bangor University) concluded that the upper

reaches of the River Liffey as far as the junction with the River Camac at

Heuston Station, Kingsbridge were healthy. Below the Camac junction the River

Liffey was more or less polluted as far as the outer estuary. The Dublin Bay area

was described as entirely normal with ‘no evidence of harmful ecological

conditions’. The effect of the discharge of sludge into the Irish Sea was stated to

have a minimal effect on the environment. Conditions in the outer estuary would

improve greatly with the commissioning of the new outfall works, termination of

crude sewage discharge at White Banks and the completion of the Greater

Dublin Drainage Scheme. However, this area would not meet the requirements

of E.E.C. Directive on bathing places. The efficacy of the new sewage works was

disputed given that partly treated sewage would continue to be discharged 1¼

miles inside the estuary and that on incoming tides it could be brought up the

Liffey by the encroaching salt water. The City Council estimated that the cost of

an extended marine outfall stretching six miles out into Dublin Bay was £6 million

(€7.6 M). Council officials argued that their constant monitoring of water quality at

the bathing places around the Dublin Bay and along the coastline adjacent to the

Bay showed that these public amenities posed no risk to health.

In consequence, the Liffey Swim fell foul of this report. On the advice of the Chief

Medical Officer of the Eastern Health Board, Dr Barry O’Donnell, that it was

inadvisable to swim in the traditional stretch of the River Liffey, the President of

the Leinster Branch of the I.A.S.A., announced in June 1977 that the Liffey Swim

was being discontinued until the Liffey was free of pollution.4,5 The Liffey Swim

had previously been moved from the river. On the 28th February 1936, the

Annual General Meeting of the Leinster Branch I.A.S.A. voted by 26 to 7 to

discontinue the annual Liffey Swim race in the Liffey for health and safety

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reasons because of the levels of pollution.6,7 With the agreement of the race’s

sponsor, Independent Newspapers, for four years from 1936 through 1939, the

Liffey Swim took place from Bull Wall to Dollymount Strand (in 1939 to Clontarf

Baths).8,9,10,11

The possibility of holding the race at an alternative venue led to the proposal

within a week that the Liffey Swim would be held on the Shannon over the

course of the former Gentex Mile race and be known as the “One Mile Athlone

Swim for the Liffey Swim Independent Trophy and Medal”.12 This proposal, which

was agreed by the Leinster Branch I.A.S.A. and the Independent Newspaper

Group, was roundly slammed by Francis “Chalkey” White, twice winner of the

Liffey Swim, who described the move as a farcical decision made by people who

were not swimmers.13 He pointed out that the Liffey Swim was a Dublin event

through and through which would now completely lose its traditional identity. The

holding of a Liffey Swim on the Shannon was warmly welcomed by Athlone

Chamber of Commerce, the Athlone and District Round Table and the Athlone

Urban Council and the date fixed for 17th July.14 The race was even referred to

as “The Shannon Swim (formerly the Liffey Swim)”.15 The date was selected for

the practical reason that many swimmers would be returning through Athlone

from the National Swimming Championships in Galway that day.16

The Irish Independent-sponsored Athlone Shannon Swim attracted entries from

58 men for the 1-mile handicapped race and 28 women for the 800m

handicapped race, the vast majority of whom were members of Dublin swimming

clubs.17,18 Among the entries were Joe Browne (North Dublin SC), winner of the

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim in 1975, Gerry Seery (North Dublin SC), 2nd in the

Ireland’s Eye swim in 1976, David Cummins (Cormorant SC), winner of the

Liffey Swim in 1975, and John Houlihan (Templeogue SC), 2nd in the Liffey

Swim in 1976. Other prominent swimmers who had placed well in major sea

swims in the Dublin area over the past few years included Brian Farnan

(Templeogue SC), Lorcan Shelley (Terenure SC), Pat Mullally (Templeogue

SC), Pat Brennan (Templeogue SC), and Desmond Coyle (Marian SC). Over

3,000 spectators viewed the races from Tanner Park, Patrick Sarsfield Bridge

and other vantage points.18

The men’s 1-mile race was won by 15-year-old William Cahill, a pupil from St

Ignatius College and a member of Galway SC, competing in his first ever river

race, although he had been successful in open sea events. He hit the front some

500m from the finish and did not wilt from there to the finish line at the Railway

Bridge.18,19 William Cahill was followed home by Richard O’Reilly (Cormorant

SC) 24 sec later, with Navan SC’s Brendan Smith another 24 sec further behind

in 3rd place.20 The fastest time was recorded by Kevin Williamson (Terenure

SC). Francis “Chalkey” White, joint back marker with Kevin Williamson, placed

25th. The team prize went to the Cormorant SC quartet of Richard O’Reilly, David

Cummins, Barry Murphy and Ivan O’Shea.18,19 Cahill was presented with an Irish

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Independent Gold medal and gold watch. However, it was decided that the Irish

Independent Cup, presented to the winner of the Liffey Swim each year, would

be withheld until such time as the race was resumed in Dublin.21

The winners of the Irish Independent-sponsored Shannon Swim at Athlone (from Left):

Harry Kavanagh, President Irish Branch I.A.S.A., Susan Corbett (Otter SC), winner of

Ladies 800m Race; Paul Meehan, Publicity Manager, Irish Independent; William Cahill,

winner of the men’s 1-mile race; and M.J. Moran, Athlone and District Round Table

[Source: Irish Independent, 18 July, 1977, page 3]

Place Name Age Club Handicap*17 Nett Time

1 William Cahill 15 Galway SC 2 min 40 sec 26:24

2 Richard O’Reilly 10 Cormorant SC 4 min 40 sec 24:48

3 Brendan Smith Navan SC 4 min 45 sec 24:57

4 Cormac Boland 14 North Dublin SC 2 min 40 sec 27:50

5 Michael Langan 17 Galway SC 7 min 40 sec 22:55

6 Kevin Williamson†‡ 18 Terenure SC 11 min 00 sec 20:05

David Cummins 15 Cormorant SC 10 min 40 sec

Barry Murphy Cormorant SC 7 min 40 sec

Ivan O’Shea Cormorant SC 8 min 10 sec

25 Francis “Chalkey” White† 22 Guinness SC 11 min 00 sec 21:06

* Time after limit man † Scratch men

‡ Fastest time

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The entrants for the women’s 800m Shannon Swim included Bernadette Wall

(Otter SC) who placed 3rd in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim in 1975,

Antoinette Finlay (King’s Hospital), winner of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim

in 1976, Fiona Canning (Otter SC), who placed 3rd in the 1976 Dún Laoghaire

Harbour Swim, Maeve Canning, who was second in the Half Moon ½-mile swim

in 1975, and Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC), sister of David Cummins.17

The women’s race was won by Susan Corbett (Otter SC), a 13-year-old student

at Sandymount High School. Starting off “Go” she was never caught and finished

26 sec ahead of the second swimmer Tina O’Connor (Roscommon SC).

Deirdre Shanley (Roscommon SC) got the nod for 3rd place over Ann Barron

(Dublin SC) as they battled it out for the remaining podium position.18,19 The

fastest swim was recorded by Dymphna Morris (Terenure SC) in a nett time of

8:57. The team prize went to the Roscommon quarter of Tina O’Connor, Deirdre

Shanley, Margaret Halley and Katie O’Connor. The spectators were also

entertained with an exhibition by Western Command members of the Army Sub-

Aqua Club.18,19

Place Name Age Club Handicap*17 Nett Time

1 Suzanne Corbett 13 Otter SC Off Go† 11:48

2 Tina O’Connor 10 Roscommon SC 2 min 15 sec 09:59

3 Deirdre Shanley Roscommon SC 2 min 00 sec 12:20

4 Ann Barron Dublin SC Off Go† 12:20

5 Karen Parkes Bangor SC 2 min 00 sec 10:23

6 Julie Parkes 12 Bangor SC 3 min 00 sec 09:27

Dymphna Morris 15 Terenure SC 4 min 15 sec 08:57

Margaret Halley Roscommon SC 1 min 30 sec

Katie O’Connor Roscommon SC 2 min 15 sec

*Time after limit man

† Scratch women

‡Fastest time

The Island Swim at Howth, promoted by Clontarf SC, for the Irish Independent

Gold medal and the Senator P.T. Kelly Perpetual Cup was won by 14-year-old

Eamonn Flynn (Clontarf SC, off “Go”) in 18:50, who beat his clubmate Mick

Kelly (off 3 min) by a just 2 sec, nett time 15:52. Flynn swam a strong race, kept

all challengers at bay and put in a final spurt to clinch the spoils.22 The promoting

club monopolised the leading places with Nicky O’Meara (Clontarf SC, off 4 min)

taking 3rd spot in 16:01 and Declan Cadwell (Clontarf SC, off 4 min), 4th in 16:55

to seal the team prize [1, 2, 3, 4]. Michael Fitzpatrick (Half Moon SC, off 2 min)

prevented a clean sweep of the first six places, taking 5th place in 19:15, with

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Fintan O’Meara (Clontarf SC, off 6 min) in 6th in a nett time of 15:30. The fastest

time was clocked by Gay Brennan (Templeogue SC) in 11:35.

Eamonn Flynn, winner of the Island Swim, with the Irish Independent Gold medal and

Kelly Cup (Irish Independent, 30 July, 1977)

The Westclox open sea swim at Bull Wall, promoted by Crusade Aquatic Club,

was cancelled.23

The annual 1-mile open sea swim for Clarke Cup swim at the Battery on South

Wall, promoted by Half Moon SC, was won by “Duddi” Maguire (Half Moon SC,

off 4 min) in 26:45. He was followed home by Brian O’Dwyer (Guinness SC, off

5 min) in 26:46, Dermot Kelleher (Half Moon SC, off 4 min) in 26:46, Paul

Emmett (Half Moon SC, off 4 min) in 28:03, Joe Browne (North Dublin SC) and

Dermot Hughes (Half Moon SC, off 2 min) in 31:20. The fastest time was

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recorded by Gerry Dunne (Half Moon SC) and the winning team was Half Moon

[1, 3, 4, 6] – Maguire, Kelleher, Emmett, Hughes.24

The 47th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim for the Irish Times trophy over the 1¼-

mile course was held on 8 July.25 In the absence of some of the well-known open

sea ‘warriors’ – three times winner Francis “Chalkey” White (Guinness SC),

Kevin Williamson (Terenure SC), Liam Bohan (Half Moon SC) and David

Cummins (Cormorant SC), all of whom were competing in the six nations

international in Belgium – and with the race reverting back to a massed start with

the old sealed handicapping system, the winner on handicap was hard to

predict.25 Michael Fitzpatrick (Half Moon SC) and Charlie O’Connell (Crusade

Aquatic Club), ‘Harbour’ swimmers of long standing, were again in the field.

Among the other entrants were Tom Farrelly (Half Moon SC), the winner in

1973,26 Gay Brennan (Templeogue SC), winner of the Island Race in 1975,27

and Gerry Dunne (Half Moon SC), who was first home the previous year, but

then disqualified for taking the wrong course.28

There was drama again after the finish when no less than 11 swimmers were

disqualified for taking the wrong course, including Gerry Dunne (Half Moon) for

the second year running.29 There was a great show of strength from Templeogue

SC with five finishers in the top eight. Pat Mullally and Gay Brennan dominated

the race from the massed start. With about 400m to go to the lighthouse, Mullally

gradually forged ahead to win by about 50 yards. It had been his 19th birthday the

day before. Third placed Pat Crowe (Dublin SC) finished about 50 yards adrift of

Brennan.29

Place Name Age Club Time

1 Patrick Mullally‡ 19 Templeogue SC 24:16

2 Gay Brennan Templeogue SC 25:08

3 Pat Crowe Dublin SC 26:15

4 Brian Farnan Templeogue SC 26:48

5 P Murphy 12 Cormorant SC 27:02

6 Frank McCann Templeogue SC 27:03

7 John Houlihan Templeogue SC 27:15

8 C Doran Dublin SC 34:00 ‡ Fastest time

Unfortunately the sealed handicaps for the male swimmers in the 1977 Dún

Laoghaire Harbour Swim were never published in newspaper reports. The

winner on sealed handicap was Joe McLoughlin (North Dublin SC) and the

runner-up his clubmate P. Sadlier, with C. Doran (Dublin SC) who placed 8th at

the finish completing the handicap podium positions.29 It is unclear why the Irish

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Times trophy was presented to Pat Mullally rather than the winner on handicap,

Joe McLoughlin as in previous years.

Placings on sealed handicap

Place Name Age Club Time

1 Joe McLoughlin North Dublin SC 32:35

2 P Sadlier North Dublin SC

3 C Doran Dublin SC 34:00

4 P Murphy 12 Cormorant SC

5 John Houlihan Templeogue SC 27:15

6 J McCarthy Clontarf SC

Pat Mullally (Templeogue SC) receives the Irish Times Cup from Dan O’Sullivan,

Publication Sales Manager, The Irish Times (Irish Times, 9 July, 1977)

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The Men’s Prom Swim at Salthill, Galway was won by Richard O’Regan (Galway

SC), Dave O’Connor (Galway SC) was 2nd and William Cahill (Galway SC)

placed 3rd. Michael Langan (Galway SC) recorded the fastest time.30 The Ladies

race for the McDonough Cup was won by Irene Geary. The runner-up was Kathy

Langan (Galway SC). The fastest time was clocked by Claire Mulholland

(Galway SC).31 The Connacht Branch Prom Swim at Salthill was won by Dave

O’Connor (Galway SC), William Cahill (Galway SC) was 2nd and Michael Langan

3rd and fastest time.32

Distance swimming grabbed the headlines on several occasions in 1977. David

Jones of Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, became the first Welshman to swim the

Bristol Channel. He set out from Lynmouth, Devon and landed at Porthcawl, a

distance of 19 miles but probably nearer 25 miles with the effects of currents.33

The 6½-mile Lough Neagh International Swim from Ballyronan, Co Derry to

Ardboe, Co Tyrone was won by Bruce Beckett (Scotland) in 3:05:55, Ian Reid

(Scotland) was second in 3:17:16 and Chris Carter (Huddersfield), third in

3:30:00.34

Wayne Thompson of Oregon claimed to have set a new world record after

swimming 1,850 miles in 60 days with limited stops from Yankton, South Dakota

on the Missouri River system down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. The

previous record of 176 days from 6 July to 29 December 1930 of 1,826 miles

from Ford Dam near Minneapolis down the Mississippi River to New Orleans was

set by Fred P Newton of Gainesville, Texas.35

David Morgan from Scarborough, Yorkshire became the youngest person to

swim the English Channel. He accomplished the crossing from Dover to Wissant

near Calais in 11 hours 5 minutes.36,37 He took the record held from 1974 by an

Egyptian girl, Ablah Khairi, who was three weeks older when she swam the

Channel.38 A 17-year-old Egyptian student, Nasser El Sahzli set a new English

Channel swim record from Dover to France of 8 hours 45 minutes, 11 minutes

faster than the record of Wendy Brooks (GBR) set in 1976.39 Kevin Murphy, a

London journalist with the Evening Standard, twice attempted to swim the

English Channel three ways in one attempt. In early August he had to abandon

his swim on the first leg from Dover to France when a member of his pilot boat

became unwell.40,41 On his second non-stop attempt two weeks later he

successfully completed the first leg from Shakespeare Beach, Dover to France in

14 hours 14 minutes, his 9th Channel Swim, but had to leave the water on the

second leg because of high winds and a freak current which carried him

westward towards Boulogne.42,43 A Canadian student, Cindy Nicholas, aged 19,

sliced 10 hours off the two-way English Channel swim record, accomplishing the

double crossing in 19 hours 55 minutes.44,45,46,47

Ted Keenan attempted to swim the 22 miles from Scotland to Northern Ireland in

August, 1977.48,49 During the first part of the outward journey from Portpatrick the

swimmer is carried northwards by the strong tide to a point about halfway

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between Scotland and Ireland and then southward towards Ireland with the tide,

thereby increasing the distance swum. One of the hazards in the Irish Sea is the

Lion’s Mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata).50 Contact with the tentacles can trigger

millions of nematocysts (stinging structures in specialised cells) to pierce the skin

and inject poisin.51 Keenan had to abandon his attempt after he swam into a

school of huge jellyfish with long stinging tentacles. The pain of the stings

became unbearable and his hands numb. He suffered hallucinations, loss of

propulsion and almost lost consciousness. He had to be dragged from the water

after 6 hours and 40 minutes, about one-third of the way across.48,49 Keenan

considered a further attempt in September, but it did not take place.52,53

The decision of the I.A.S.A. to site the National Swimming Championships in the

25-metre Gus Healy Pool, Douglas, Cork instead of the Leisureland complex in

Galway where the championships had been held for the past three years elicited

widespread objections right into the week of the tests.54 They were sponsored by

Coca-Cola for the first time. Francis “Chalkey” White (Guinness SC) went into the

swimming records as the first Irish swimmer to break 60 sec for the 100m

butterfly, clocking 59.9 sec to better his own Irish record of 1:00.3 which he had

set in Vienna three years previously.55,56 He also won the 200m butterfly title57,58

and the Silver medal in the 100m freestyle.59,60

The 17-year-old Kevin Williamson (Terenure SC), who had accepted a four-year

scholarship to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from September, took the

100m59,60, 200m,55,56 400m55,56 and 1500m57,58 freestyle laurels and the 400m

individual medley title.57,58 David Cummins (Cormorant SC) put up impressive

performances against his older rivals to take the Gold medal in the 200m

backstroke,59,60 Silver medals in the 1500m freestyle,57,58 200m butterfly57,58 and

100m backstroke57,58 and Bronze medals in the 400m individual medley57,58 and

100m butterfly.57,58 Pat Carey (King’s Hospital SC) took Gold in the 100m

breaststroke.57,58 In the Boys’ events 15-year-old Kieran Hannon (Cormorant SC)

won a clutch of individual titles — 100m and 200m backstroke,57,58 100m

butterfly55,56 and 400m individual medley [IJR]57,58 — and the 4 x 100m medley

relay Gold medal with Cormorant SC57,58 and Silver medals in the 100m55,56 and

200m59,60 breaststroke.

The star of women’s tests was Miriam Hopkins (King’s Hospital SC) who

collected a record nine Gold medals (seven individual titles and two relay

titles,59,60 returning seven Irish records in the process — 100m [IR],59,60

200m,57,58 400m [IR],55,56 800m [IR]55,56 freestyle, 100m [IR]55,56 and 200m57,58

butterfly, 400m individual medley,57,58 4 x 100m freestyle relay55,56 [IR in heat61,62

and IR in final], 4 x 100m medley relay [IR].59,60 Other King’s Hospital swimmers

dominated in the Girls’ events — Antoinette Finlay (100m butterfly57,58), Ann

Carey (100m59,60 and 200m55,56 freestyle, 400m individual medley57,58), Catherine

Bohan (100m55,56 and 200m59,60 breaststroke, 400m freestyle55,56) — as well as

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taking the laurels in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay59,60 and 4 x 100m medley

relay.55,56

At the Willwood Tailteann Games Pat Carey (King’s Hospital SC) won the men’s

100m backstroke, Kevin Williamson (Terenure SC) the men’s 100m and 400m

freestyle, Kieran Hannon (Cormorant SC) the boys 100m freestyle, David

Cummins (Cormorant SC) the boys 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly, Miriam

Hopkins the women’s 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, and Ann Carey the

women’s 400m freestyle.63,64

At the 12th National Age Group Swimming Championships at the Cranny Pool,

Galway,65,66,67,68 David Cummins (Cormorant SC) won the Gold medals in the

Boys U16 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly and individual

medley. Dymphna Morris (Terenure SC) took the honours in the Girls U16

individual medley, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly championships and the

Bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke. Patricia Holmes (Aer Lingus) gained 4

Gold medals in the Girls U18 individual medley, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle

and 100m breaststroke.

The F.I.S.E.C. Games at Cholet, France brought success to the group of young

Irish swimmers competing. In a cold and wet 50-metre outdoor pool, they won 8

Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals69,70,71,72 — Seniors: Kevin Williamson (Gold

100m freestyle), David Cummins (Gold 200m backstroke; Silver 100m

backstroke), Liam Bohan (Gold 200m individual medley), Pat Carey (Gold 100m

breaststroke; Bronze 200m breaststroke), Ireland (Williamson, Cummins, Carey,

Bohan) (Gold, 4 x 200m freestyle relay), Ireland (Williamson, Bohan, Carey,

Cummins) (Gold, 4 x 100m medley relay [FISEC record]); Juniors: Kieran

Hannon (Gold 100m butterfly [FISEC record]; Silver 200m individual medley),

John Houlihan (Gold 100m backstroke), Lorcan Wynne (Bronze 100m

backstroke), Ireland (Hannon, Houlihan, Francis O’Reilly, Wynne) (Silver 4 x

100m medley relay).

The annual 1¼-mile Lee Swim from Hotel Glenbrook to the pier at Monkstown,

sponsored by Bodycraft, attracted only a small field of 15 swimmers to compete

from the Lee Swim Cup. The winner was Chris Bowles (City of Cork SC). His

clubmate David O’Regan placed second and Kornal Hempel (Dolphin SC)

rounded off the podium placings. David Barry (Dolphin SC), the winner in 1975,

clocked the fastest time.73

Although officialdom had dropped the Liffey Swim from the 1977 calendar, a

group of enthusiastic Liffey veterans was determined to preserve it.74 Leader of

the group was Michael Fitzpatrick, Honorary Secretary of Half Moon SC, who

had competed in 19 Liffey Swims. A 1-mile course at the Irish National Memorial

Park Gardens, Islandbridge, finishing at the slipway of Dublin University Boat

House was used. The 1977 Liffey Swim was jointly organised by the Half Moon

and Dublin Swimming Clubs. Another innovation was a 500-yard (c. 460m) race

for women which was sponsored by the 1957 Liffey Swim winner, Tommy May

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(Colmcille SC).74 The organisers hoped that the race would return to its old

course as soon as conditions in the lower river permitted.

Michael Fitzpatrick, Honorary Secretary of Half Moon SC, views the new Liffey Swim course at Islandbridge with his nephew Brian, aged 5, and his niece Linda, aged 10

(Source: Sunday Independent, 28 August, 1977)

The 58th edition of the Liffey Swim took place on Friday 2 September, 1977

starting at 7.00 pm and was sponsored by Tayto.75,76,77 The course for the

Women’s race was approximately from Garda Boathouse Slipway to the Dublin

University Boat House slipway.

58th Liffey Swim: Map of the women’s course

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Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC) was hard pressed in the women’s race by Fiona

Canning (Otter SC), but held on for a narrow victory by 1 sec. Joyce Palmer

(Guinness SC) was 3rd and Bernadette Wall (Otter SC) placed 4th. The fastest

time of 6:13 was recorded by Caroline Green (King’s Hospital SC). The team

award went to Otter SC – Fiona Canning, Bernadette Wall and V. Smyth.

Top Placings:75,76,77

Place Name Age Club Handicap* Nett Time

1 Ann Cummins Cormorant SC 2 min 00 sec 6:18

2 Fiona Canning Otter SC 2 min 00 sec 6:19

3 Joyce Palmer Guinness SC 1 min 15 sec 7:05

4 Bernadette Wall Otter SC 1 min 15 sec 7:07

5 Caroline Green‡ King’s Hospital SC 2 min 10 sec 6:13

V. Smyth Otter SC

*Time after limit swimmer

† Scratch women

‡Fastest time

58th Liffey Swim: Map of the men’s course

The men’s race attracted an entry of 86. The race was won by Nicholas

O’Meara (Clontarf SC), brother of Fintan O’Meara who won the Liffey Swim in

1972 over the traditional course. Off a handicap of 1 min 30 sec, he quickly

overtook the limit men, winning easily by about 300m. Second home was Derek

Wilkes (North Dublin SC) 2 min 48 sec later. In 3rd place was Francis Kelly (St

Vincent’s SC) in a net time of 17:43. The fastest time of 16:32 was clocked by

David Cummins (Cormorant SC), winner of the 1975 Liffey Swim, and brother of

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Ann Cummins, who won the women’s race. North Dublin SC took the team event

– Derek Wilkes, Jimmy Seery, David McLoughlin and Joe McLoughlin.



1 Nicholas O’Meara 14 Clontarf SC 1 min 30 sec 21:45

2 Derek Wilkes North Dublin SC 3 min 30 sec 22:33

3 Francis Kelly St Vincent’s SC 9 min 00 sec 17:43

4 Charlie O’Connell Crusade Aquatic Club At “Go” 26:45

5 Don Rumgay Bray Cove SC 1 min 30 sec 25:25

6 Eamonn Connolly Atlanta SC 7 min 30 sec 19:32

David Cummins†‡ 15 Cormorant SC 11 min 30 sec 16:32

Jimmy Seery North Dublin SC

David McLoughlin North Dublin SC

Joe McLoughlin North Dublin SC

*Time after limit swimmer at “Go” † Scratch man

‡Fastest time

Gerry Boland (North Dublin SC), aged 60, Walt Disney branch manager, winner

of the Liffey Swim in 1953 and a participant for over 30 years, died in tragic

circumstances on 3 July 1977.78,79 He was attending the 800m Leddy Cup race

at Clontarf Yacht Club slipway, promoted by North Dublin SC, to watch his 14-

year-old son Cormac Boland competing. He spotted during the race that Jim

Kavanagh (North Dublin SC), aged 49, a foreman at Blake’s Spice Mill in

Phibsborough, an experienced swimmer who had competed in 26 Liffey Swims,

had gotten into difficulties and dived in to rescue him. Jim Kavanagh had

suffered a heart attack. Gerry Boland managed to reach his friend and pull him

ashore with the help of other swimmers. He walked from the scene to his car

while others attended to Jim Kavanagh and was found collapsed in his car by

friends who had come to tell him that Jim Kavanagh was dead. Gerry Boland and

Jim Kavanagh were taken by ambulance to Jervis Street Hospital where both

were pronounced dead on arrival, each leaving young families.78,79

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The 1978 Liffey Swim

In January 1978 the Liffey was described as “one of the most notorious open

sewers in Europe” by a Trans World Airline executive at a National Tourism

Council seminar in Dublin and stated that it was quite extraordinary that in 1978

many towns were discharging untreated sewage into the nearest river or lake.80

The principal officer of the Department of the Environment in response stated

that 30 substantial sewage works were in process or near to completion, with

others in the pipeline, and that, while such developments did not produce

dramatic results rapidly, Ireland was making substantial progress in this regard.80

Concerns were raised by members of the Dublin Board of Conservators of

Fisheries about possible long-term effects of refuse tips in river valleys, such as

the one at Chapelizod run by Dublin Corporation, from leakage of toxic chemicals

into rivers from rotting cans or drums.81 The dangers of toxic material being

washed into the river were illustrated by a kill of thousands of trout near

Newbridge when torrential rain caused a flood of surface water from an industrial

estate into the Liffey.82

In July 1978, in a prosecution before the District Court at Naas, Dublin

Corporation was found guilty of allowing "deleterious matter”, aluminium-

containing sludge effluent, to be discharged into the River Liffey at Ballymore-

Eustace in Co. Kildare from its waterworks.83,84,85 An engineer for the

Corporation stated that sludge deposits built up in the water-treatment tanks and

at intervals it was necessary to make a discharge to wash out the tanks. When

such release was being done, the ESB was asked to release water through its

turbines at Pollaphuca. The Corporation stated that it was anxious to set its

house in order as it would be the enforcement body under the new Local

Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977.83,84,85 The Dublin Corporation drainage

department surveyor, Mr Clair Sweeney, declared that the River Camac was the

dirtiest river in Europe and that, if efforts were concentrated on the Camac, at

least 50% of the problem of pollution in the Liffey would be solved.86

Water quality in Dublin Bay continued to be the subject of debate. A pollution

report to a special meeting of the City Council, County Council and Dún

Laoghaire Council stated that special monitoring of sea water was carried out at

all the popular beaches and coastal bathing places and that, apart from the inner

harbour area between South Wall and Bull Wall, the quality of sea water was

satisfactory for bathing. The sewage works at Shanganagh were branded a

health hazard by a Dún Laoghaire councillor.87 It would be four years before the

current outfall was replaced by a mile-long pipeline into the Irish Sea. The City

Manager claimed that there was a good deal of nonsense talked about pollution

in Dublin Bay and that the water quality was quite good.87

15

The unprecedented public enquiry held in the Custom House into Dublin

Corporation’s Special Amenity Order (made on 4th April, 1977) for part of Dublin

Bay brought out the conflicting views on priorities for the city and bay, between

the desires to preserve and improve Dublin’s beaches as a public amenity and

the desires to develop Dublin Port in the interface between port and bay and to

build an oil refinery to provide employment for its citizens.8889,90,91 The enquiry

was presided over by two Local Government Inspectors, Louis Carvill and

Dermot Humphreys.91,92 The Department of the Environment was accused of

rushing the various parties into the enquiry with little notice and thus inadequate

time to prepare their arguments.92 There were claims that an environmentalist

lobby was potentially threatening the jobs of dockers, while the example of the

Thames redevelopment showed how industry and the environment could co-

exist.93

Sean D. “Dublin Bay” Loftus was prominent in newspaper headlines and

reports.94,95 His concern was that the Amenity Order needed to be stronger and

more specific in certain aspects. With An Taisce he obtained an interlocutory

injunction from the High Court which halted the inquiry.96,97,98 However, Counsel

for Dublin Corporation, the Minister and the Local Government inspectors

appealed the injunction to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld their

appeal sweeping aside the High Court ruling.99,100,101 The enquiry concluded its

taking of evidence on 30 June with sharp exchanges between counsels for the

principal protagonists, Dublin Corporation and the Dublin Port and Docks Board,

outlining the pros and cons of the Amenity Order.102,103 The two inspectors of the

Department of the Environment were to prepare a report for and make

recommendations to the Minister who would then decide whether or not to

confirm the Corporation’s amenity order.

The conclusions of the report on water quality in Dublin Bay, completed in 1976

and commissioned jointly by Dublin Corporation, the E.S.B. and Dublin Port and

Docks Board were reiterated in the Dáil during question time, namely, that apart

from the inner harbour Dublin Bay was in good condition. 104,105,106 The biological

standards of the E.E.C. Directive on water pollution would not be met on the

harbour side of Bull Wall and Dublin Corporation had erected signage against

bathing in the area which was not frequented by many swimmers. It was claimed

that Dublin Bay was not greatly affected by pollution from the River Liffey as it

was well flushed out by cross currents in the bay. It was counter-claimed that the

pollution level on the Howth side of Bull Wall was deteriorating and should not be

tolerated.104,105,106

The exploits of marathon swimmers were reported widely throughout 1978.

Down under the Cook Strait, the 14-mile (22-km) wide strait between the North

and South Islands of New Zealand connecting the Tasman Sea with the South

Pacific Ocean, was swum by a 15-year-old New Zealand schoolgirl, Meda

McKenzie, north to south on 3 February in 12 hrs 7 mins and south to north on

16

17 February in 11 hrs 23 mins to become the first swimmer to make the crossing

both ways.107,108 On 18 February John Coutts, a 21-year-old New Zealand, swam

from South Island to North Island in 6 hrs 46 mins, annihilating the record set in

the first ever south–north swim of 9 hrs 36 mins by a fellow countryman Cameron

Perry on 12 January 1972.107 He also became the first male swimmer to have

completed the crossing in both directions, having achieved the north to south

swim on 13 February 1977 in 9 hrs 25 mins, the 4th male swimmer to complete

this and in record time.107 In the Northern Hemisphere, the Straits of Gibraltar

(8.9 miles/14.3 km at its narrowest point) was swum by Mercedes Gleitze, a

London typist, at her 6th attempt from Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain to Punta Leona,

Belyounech, Morocco in 12 hrs 50 mins.109

The English Channel swim season brought several attempts by youngsters to

achieve the crossing. In mid-July an 11-year-old South African, Kevin Anderson,

failed in his attempt when 6 miles of the French coast.110 Two weeks later Anne

Sheppard, an 11-year-old schoolgirl from Ramsgate, Kent, had to abandon her

attempt after 5½ hrs because of the cold.111 In contrast, the following day Carl

Benniston from Blackpool became the youngest person to swim the Channel

from Shakespeare Beach, Dover to Wissant, 16 km south-west of Calais, in 12

hrs 39 mins.112,113,114 He was two months younger than David Morgan of

Scarborough who had accomplished the feat in 1977.36,37 Penny Dean, a 23-

year-old student from California, swam the Channel from England to France in 7

hrs 42 mins breaking the record by more than an hour. 115,116 Des Renford from

Maroubra Beach, New South Wales swam the Channel for the 12th time and

Mike Read of Ipswich completed the crossing from Dover to France for the 11th

time.117,118 A team of six boys and girls from Derry and Belfast, Northern Ireland

– Adrian Kelly, Billy McCartney, Bernadette Casey, Liam Heading, Arnold

Mahood and Estelle Muness – swam the English Channel in a record 8 hrs 40

mins, knocking 1 hr and 5 mins off the previous record for an U16 relay

swim.119,120

Closer to home the intrepid Ted Keenan of Enniskillen decided to have another

attempt at the North Channel swim from Scotland to Ireland.121,122,123 He and his

party travelled to Portpatrick on the Scottish coast, but the unpredictability of the

weather intervened with a north-easterly wind of force 4–5 giving a wave height

of 1–2 m to make conditions too dangerous for an attempt at the crossing.124 A

successful Scotland to Ireland North Channel swim would not be achieved for

another 11 years when Alison Streeter of England conquered it on the 28th

August 1989 in 10 hrs 4 min.125 This feast would not be completed by a Irish

swimmer until 31 July, 2004 (Colm O’Neill, 11 hrs 25 min).125

A 63-year-old retired draper, Michael Hurley of Bantry, achieved two unique

swims in Bantry Bay in September. Firstly he swam to and from Whiddy Island

from the slipway at the Bantry Bay Sailing Club to the Slip at Whiddy Island and

back to the beach at Bantry Pier, a round trip of about 4.8 km (3 miles) in 2 hrs

17

21 mins, with an incoming tide on the outward journey and an ebb tide on the

return leg. This was the first double crossing to Whiddy Island from recognised

landing spots non-stop. He had previously made numerous one-way crossings

from various points.126,127

Secondly, his next feat was somewhat more spectacular. Michael Hurley swam

from the slipway at the Bantry Bay Sailing Club to Ardnagoshel House. The

course took him past the east point of Chapel Island and around the bar at Horse

Island. From Horse Island to Ardnagoshel the water was quite choppy as in

essence it is ‘open ocean’. He completed the ca. 4.7-km (2.9-mile) swim in 2 hrs

45 mins. The distance is about the same from Gearhies on the Bantry shore to

Leahill on the Adrogole shore across Bantry Bay. This was the first time that a

swim from the south shore to the north shore of Bantry Bay or vice versa had

been accomplished.126,127

Bantry, Whiddy Island, Chapel Island, Horse Island and Ardnagoshel

Chapel Island

Horse Island

Ardnagoshel House

Bantry Sailing Club

18

The open sea race season opened at Malahide on 19 June with 1,200m and

600m swims for men and women, respectively. David McLoughlin (North Dublin

SC) won the men’s race and Patricia Doran (Dublin SC) took the honours in the

women’s event. David Cummins (Cormorant SC) and Ann Shalloo (Cormorant

SC) clocked the fastest times. The team prize for men was won by North Dublin

SC and the women’s team prize by Aer Lingus SC.128

Men (1,200 m)128

Place Name Age Club Nett Time

1 David McLoughlin North Dublin SC 13:28

1 M Byrne Central Remedial Clinic SC 13:30

3 Cormac Boland North Dublin SC 14:18

David Cummins Cormorant SC 10:28

‡Fastest time

Women (600 m)128

Place Name Age Club Nett Time

1 Patricia Doran Dublin SC 17:34

1 Susan Linnane Otter SC 17:35

3 Orla Kenny Dublin SC 17:41

Ann Shalloo‡ Cormorant SC 16:10

‡Fastest time

The annual Plunkett-McAllister open sea race from Dollymount to Clontarf Baths,

promoted by North Dublin SC, on 9 July, provided a one-two for Cormorant SC,

Peter Conway and J. McGoldrick, respectively. The promoting club won the

team prize (P. Sadlier, Joe Browne, Andy White, Cormac Boland). The fastest

time award went to a promising young talent and water-polo player from Dublin

SC, Pat Crowe.129

Top Placings:129


1 Peter Conway Cormorant SC 5 min 00 sec 13:05

2 J McGoldrick Cormorant SC 2 min 00 sec 16:07

3 Pat Crowe†‡ Dublin SC 6 min 00 sec 12:45

4 P Sadlier North Dublin SC 3 min 30 sec 15:18

5 D Potter Clontarf SC 3 min 00 sec 15:49

6 Joe Browne North Dublin SC 2 min 00 sec 16:50

Andy White North Dublin SC

Cormac Boland North Dublin SC


‡Fastest time

19

Following on the success of the Shannon Swim (Liffey Swim on the Shannon) at

Athlone the previous year,17,18,19 Athlone Swimming Club, with cooperation from

the I.A.S.A. and its Leinster and Connacht branches, revived the Shannon Swim

under its auspices in conjunction with the river festival after a lapse of 18

years.130 For the men’s handicap race over 1 mile, the Irish Independent

sponsored a new trophy, as the organising committee were unable to locate the

original Shannon Swim Cup. For the women’s half-mile race the

Westmeath/Offaly Independent presented a trophy.130 Prizes were also provided

for the first six swimmers home in each race, as well as for the fastest swimmers

and the team competitions. The races were started by Brian Lenihan, Minister for

Fisheries, whose father Brian Joseph Lenihan had presented the original

Shannon Swim Cup to Gentex SC.130

With David Cummins (Cormorant SC) as scratchman off 11 min, 79 swimmers

started in the men’s race on 16 July. The race and the Shannon Swim

Independent Cup was won by 12-year-old Ciaran Murphy (Cormorant SC), a

pupil at St Vincents CBS, Glasnevin.131,132 He hit the front at Athlone Boat House

and won from Frank “Junior” Nolan (Athlone SC), a 16-year-old student at St

Aloysius College, Athlone, who had led for much of the race after passing the

leader in the early stages, veteran Michael Fitzpatrick (Half Moon SC), and

Gerard O’Shea (Roscommon SC), who eventually placed 3rd and had been in

second place at the Railway Bridge with 600 yards to go until Murphy stormed

past him. The fastest time was clocked by Liam Bohan (King’s Hospital SC),

while scratchman David Cummins was second fastest. The team honours went

to Cormorant SC [1, 4, 5, 9 = 19 pts].131,132

Ciaran Murphy, aged 12, winner of Shannon Swim

(Irish Independent, 17 July, 1978)

20

Top Placings:131,132


1 Ciaran Murphy 12 Cormorant SC 3 min 00 sec 24:11

2 Frank “Junior” Nolan 16 Athlone SC 1 min 00sec 26:32

3 Gerard O’Shea Roscommon SC 4 min 00 sec 23:35

4 Ronan Hannigan Cormorant SC 4 min 00 sec 23:50

5 Boyd Freeman Cormorant SC 8 min 00 sec 19:51

6 Michael McCann Templeogue SC 8 min 30 sec 19:28

6 Brian Colleran Tuam SC 5 min 00 sec 23:06

8 Liam Treacy Roscommon SC 3 min 00 sec 25:07

9 Jim Shalloo Cormorant SC 7 min 00 sec 21:14

10 Francis O’Reilly Trojan SC 8 min 30 sec 20:02

Liam Bohan‡ King’s Hospital SC 10 min 30 sec 18:55

David Cummins† Cormorant SC 11 min 00 sec 19:00


‡Fastest time

The ladies race over the half-mile course was won by Ann Cummins

(Cormorant SC), a 13-year-old pupil at Dominican College, Eccles Street, Dublin.

She passed her clubmate Ann Shalloo with about 200 yards to go, who just held

on for second place.131,132 The remaining podium position turned into a titanic

battle between a Roscommon SC duo, Tina O’Connor and Deirdre McManus,

with the former winning by the touch. Caroline Green (King’s Hospital SC)

clocked the fastest time (8:22), and Ann Cummins (8:23), the second fastest

time. The team prize was won by Roscommon SC. The races were watched by

over 5,000 spectators lining the banks of the river and every vantage point.131,132

Top Placings:131,132


1 Ann Cummins§ 13 Cormorant SC 2 min 00 sec 08:23

2 Ann Shalloo Cormorant SC 2 min 00 sec 08:26

3 Tina O’Connor Roscommon SC 3 min 00 sec 08:28

4 Deirdre McManus Roscommon SC 1 min 15 sec 09:14

5 I Goggin Dublin SC 1 min 30 sec 09:04

6 D Reid Dublin SC 0 min 45 sec 09:50

Caroline Green‡ King’s Hospital SC 2 min 15 sec 08:22

Cathy O’Connor Roscommon SC

Miriam Halley Roscommon SC


‡Fastest time

§Second fastest time

21

The Island Swim, staged by Clontarf SC, for the J.P. Kelly Cup from Ireland’s

Eye to Balscadden Beach in Howth took place on 18 July.133,134 The race

provided a spectacular finish amid tense excitement. Two Atlanta SC swimmers,

Philip Mooney and Eamonn Connolly, battled out the final yards of this

gruelling swim stroke for stroke. If the judges had elected to separate them, it

would have been somewhat unfortunate for one of them. For the first time in

living memory the race was declared a dead-heat and both swimmers jointly held

the Kelly Cup for the year.135,136,137



1= Philip Mooney Atlanta SC 3 min 00 sec 19:37

1= Eamonn Connolly Atlanta SC 5 min 45 sec 16:52

3 G Nolan North Dublin SC At “Go” 23:43

4 Declan Cadwell Clontarf SC 3 min 30 sec 21:10

5 Pat Cowman Guinness SC 5 min 00 sec 19:41

6 Nicholas O’Meara 16 Clontarf SC 5 min 00 sec 19:50

10 Joe McLoughlin North Dublin SC 11 min 30 sec 16:32

12 Jimmy Seery North Dublin SC

13 Andy White North Dublin SC

Pat Mullally†‡ 20 North Dublin SC 12 min 00 sec 16:12


‡Fastest time

The 1¼-mile Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim for The Irish Times Cup took place

on 23 July.138 The race proved to be a glittering success for 16-year-old David

Cummins (Cormorant SC) who was the backmarker on a handicap of 11 min

and who had placed 2nd in 1976. He came through the field with power and

technique to win in the fastest time by some 20 metres from Liam Bohan (King’s

Hospital SC) with Tom Farrelly (Half Moon SC), a former winner, taking the 3rd

podium spot. Cummins went into the record book as one of the few scratch

swimmers to win this race. Farrelly took a wide-angle course from the lighthouse

and probably robbed himself of second place in doing so. The team prize was

won by Half Moon SC (3, 11, 13, 15 = 42 pts).139,140,141

The women’s race over 800m was won by Cliodna Johnston (Cormorant SC) to

make it a club double. Her clubmate Ursula McCarroll placed second with

Suzanne Corbett (Otter SC) completing the podium positions. The sister of

David Cummins, Ann Cummins, placed 4th. Catherine Green, who placed 5th in

the fastest time, was the daughter of Norman Green, Honorary Secretary of the

I.A.S.A. The backmarker scratch swimmer was Catherine Bohan (King’s Hospital

SC, handicap 3 min 45 sec), sister of Liam Bohan. The team prize went to Otter

SC (3, 6, 8, 9 = 26 pts).139,140,141

22

Men139,140,141


1 David Cummins†‡ 16 Cormorant SC 11 min 00 sec 22:11

1 Liam Bohan§ King’s Hospital SC 10 min 30 sec 23:01

3 Tom Farrelly Half Moon SC 4 min 30 sec 29:02

4 Peter Conway Cormorant SC 8 min 00 sec 25:38

5 Brian O’Dwyer Guinness SC 5 min 00 sec 29:08

6 Lorcan Shelley Terenure SC 9 min 30 sec 24:39

11 Paul Emmett Half Moon SC

13 Paul O’Dea Half Moon SC

15 Dermot Hughes Half Moon SC


‡Fastest time


Women139,140,141


1 Cliodna Johnston Cormorant SC 1 min 30 sec 09:53

1 Ursula McCarroll Cormorant SC 1 min 00 sec 10:25

3 Suzanne Corbett Otter SC 1 min 00 sec 10:32

4 Ann Cummins§ Cormorant SC 3 min 15 sec 08:49

5 Catherine Green‡ King’s Hospital SC 3 min 30 sec 08:42

6 Catherine Linnane Otter SC 2 min 30 sec 09:54

8 A Lovett Otter SC

9 Fiona Canning Otter SC

*Time after limit swimmer at “Go” † Scratch woman

‡Fastest time


The Dublin SC open sea races at Blackrock took place at the end of July. The

Men’s race for the Findlater Cup provided a thrilling finish right to the wire. Just

when it looked as if Paul Emmett (Half Moon SC) would get the victor’s laurels,

Peter Conway (Cormorant SC), who recorded the fastest time, caught him with

two yards to go to get the win on the touch. The team prize went to North Dublin

SC. The Women’s race for the Dorgan Cup was won by Catherine Linnane

(Otter SC) for the second year running. Susan Linnane (Otter SC) placed

second to make the podium a family affair. Otter SC lifted the team honours.142

23

Men142


1 Peter Conway‡ Cormorant SC 5 min 30 sec 17:31

1 Paul Emmett Half Moon SC 3 min 00 sec 20:02

3 D Baker Glenalbyn SC 3 min 00 sec 20:16 *Time after limit swimmer at “Go”

‡Fastest time

Women142


1 Catherine Linnane Otter SC 1 min 00 sec 09:02

2 Susan Linnane Otter SC 1 min 00 sec 09:31

3 Ann Shalloo‡ Cormorant SC 2 min 30 sec 08:38 *Time after limit swimmer at “Go”

‡Fastest time

The Half Moon open sea race at the Battery for the Clarke Cup was won by Pat

White (Guinness SC), brother of Francis “Chalkey” White.143 Earlier in the day he

had been a member of the Guinness SC team which had defeated Douglas SC

10–4 in the National Water Polo League. Jim Mooney and Paul Emmett of the

organising club took the other podium placings. The fastest time was clocked by

Francis Kelly (Kings Hospital SC) and the host club took the team laurels.143

Men143


1 Pat White Guinness SC At “Go” 30:19

1 Jim Mooney Half Moon SC At “Go” 30:22

3 Paul Emmett Half Moon SC 4 min 00 sec 27:00

4 Michael Fitzpatrick Half Moon SC At “Go” 32:10

5 Brian O’Dwyer Guinness SC 6 min 30 sec 25:54

6 Andy White North Dublin SC 5 min 30 sec 26:54

10 M Smyth Half Moon SC

Francis Kelly‡ King’s Hospital SC 21:56

*Time after limit swimmer at “Go”

‡Fastest time

The women’s race over a ½-mile was a keenly contested affair. Otter SC

swimmers placed 1st and 2nd, P. McCahill and Catherine Linnane, respectively,

the latter clocking the fastest time. Together with Susan Linnane, sister of

Catherine, and M. Rose Keegan, the team honours went to Otter SC.143

24

Women143


1 P McCahill Otter SC 1 min 30 sec 14:28

2 Catherine Linnane‡ Otter SC 4 min 30 sec 12:07

3 S Browne Dundrum SC 1 min 00 sec 15:45

4 H Byrne Half Moon SC 2 min 30 sec 14:24

5 Ann Barron Dublin SC 2 min 00 sec 14:57

6 G Keogh Dundrum SC 2 min 00 sec 14:58

10 Susan Linnane Otter SC

14 M Rose Keegan Otter SC

*Time after limit swimmer at “Go”

‡Fastest time

The annual Lee Swim from Glenbrook Hotel to Monkstown Pier took place on 2

August. Martin Bowers (Douglas Waterpolo Club) won in almost ideal conditions

in a time of 12:38, second was Gerry Murphy (Sundays Well SC) in 13:32 and

Paschal Hedderman placed third in 13:33. The defending champion Christopher

Bowles (City of Cork SC) clocked the fastest time of 11:27. There were 15

starters or 13 finished.144,145

At Salthill, Galway, 15-year-old Michael O’Connor (Galway SC) recorded a

notable double in winning both the Connacht Open and Galway Swimming Club

Prom Swims to lift the two Claude Toft trophies.146 In the 1-mile Connacht Prom

open sea swim O’Connor (handicap 15 sec, nett time 22:54) finished with 37 sec

to spare over two clubmates, Michael Cahill (handicap 2 min, nett time 21:46)

and Kevin O’Byrne (handicap 10 sec, nett time 23:43).146 In the Galway

Swimming Club Prom Swim O’Connor’s handicap was increased to 1 min 35 sec

to finish in a nett time of 21:50. He had 39 sec to spare over Barry Heskin

(handicap 1 min 30 sec, nett time 22:34) with Michael Cahill placing 3rd

(handicap 2 min 40 sec, nett time 21:42). Michael Langan (Galway SC) was

fastest in both open sea races in 18:41 (handicap 7 min 30 sec) and 19:05

(handicap 7 min), respectively.146 Orla Kennedy (handicap 50 sec, nett time

22:59) won the McDonough Cup in the Ladies Prom Swim confined to Galway

SC members, with Clare Mulholland 2nd (handicap 3 min 20 sec, fastest time

21:14) and Martina Duggan 3rd (handicap 40 sec, nett time 25:59).146 The

Galway Swimming Club U13 Prom Swims were won by Anthony Cahill and Julie

O’Connor.147

The long distance swim for the Burns/O’Regan Trophy held in conjunction with

the Belmullet Festival was won by Marcella Tuffy, a 4th year student at Our

Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet. Gerry McAndrew placed a close second.148

The channel swim was watched by hundreds of spectators. The swimmers found

25

some difficulty in the strong current which separated Blacksod Bay and the canal

entrance.

Cormorant SC brought the I.A.S.A. into the electronic age when the club

introduced the internationally accepted means of timing races at their under-age

swimming gala at Coolmine in January 1978, heralding the end of disputes over

finishes by providing the times of all finishers in races.149 Electronic timing was

first used at the Cormorant SC annual age-group gala at Coolmine on 21–22

January 1978.149,150 The club intended to make the Omega system available to

other clubs at a charge. The system was to prove invaluable at the Leinster Age

Group Championships in June at Coolmine when there was a blanket finish in

Boys U15 100m freestyle final. The electronic timing placed Francis Kelly (King’s

Hospital) 1st in 1:00.54, John Dunleavy (Trojan) 2nd in 1:00.72 and Francis

O’Reilly 3rd in 1:00.73.151

For the first time full electronic timing was used at the Irish Swimming

Championships in the Cranny Pool at Salthill, Galway in July.152,153,154 These

championships were a triumph for 16-year-old David Cummins (Cormorant SC),

a pupil at St Vincents CBS, Dublin, who scooped 7 individual Gold medals as

well as 1 Silver and 3 Bronze medals, taking over the mantle of multiple honours

in Irish swimming occupied by alumni such as Donnacha O’Dea (Club Sna

Colmcille), Francis “Chalkey” White (Guinness SC) and Kevin Wilkinson

(Terenure SC) over the previous decade.155,156 He won the 100m155,157 and

200m158,159,160 freestyle, 100m154,161,162 and 200m155,157 backstroke,

100m158,159,160 and 200m154,161,162 butterfly [IR] and 400m individual

medley.154,161,162 He took Silver in the 400m freestyle158,159,160 and Bronze in the

100m154,161,162 and 200m155,157 breaststroke and 4 x100m freestyle relay.158,159,160

Kevin Williamson (Terenure SC/Univ Michigan) retained his 400m158,159,160 and

1500m154,161,162 freestyle titles.

King’s Hospital swimmers dominated the Women’s events. Miriam Hopkins won

the 100m158,159,160 and 200m154,161,162 butterfly and 400m individual

medley.154,161,162 Anne Carey took the 200m,154,161,162 400m154,161,162 and

800m158,159,160 freestyle titles. Patricia Ward won the 100m154,161,162 and

200m154,161,162 backstroke. Catherine Bohan added the 100m158,159,160 and

200m154,161,162 breaststroke Gold medals to the collection. With this strength and

depth King’s Hospital won the 4 x 100m freestyle158,159,160 and medley154,161,162

relays.

In the Boys events, Francis O’Reilly (Trojan SC) took the laurels in the 100m

freestyle155,157 and 100m154,161,162 and 200m155,157 breaststroke and added a Gold

medal in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay with Trojan SC,155,157 while Francis Kelly

(King’s Hospital) took the honours in the 200m158,159,160 and 400m

freestyle158,159,160 and 400m individual medley.154,161,162 In the Girls events

Catherine Bohan added Gold medals in the 100m155,157 and 200m158,159,160

breaststroke and 200m freestyle158,159,160 to her Senior titles. Ann Cummins

26

(Cormorant SC) added to the Cummins family medal collection in winning the

100m freestyle155,157 and with Ann Shalloo, Cliodna Johnston and A. Taylor, the

4 x 100m freestyle title for Cormorant SC.155,157

The 59th Liffey Swim took place on 1 September on the Memorial Park,

Islandbridge to Dublin University Boathouse course, rather than the age-old

course under the Liffey bridges towards the centre of the city because of

pollution and potential health hazards.163,164,165 While many traditional Liffey

swimmers objected to this siting of the Liffey Swim out of sight of Dublin’s public,

the Half Moon and Dublin Swimming Clubs who organised the races at

Islandbridge were anxious that the Liffey Swim should not disappear from the

calendar while remediation of the lower stretches of the River Liffey continued.

The swims were again sponsored by Tayto.

The women’s and men’s races attracted 70 and 87 entries, respectively. The

men’s race included top class distance swimmers from the Dublin Swimming

Clubs – Clontarf, Cormorant, Dublin, Guinness, Half Moon and North Dublin.

Among the entries were four previous winners166 – Fintan O’Meara (1972;

Clontarf SC, off 5 min),167,168,169 Paul Emmett (1973; Half Moon SC, off 5

min),170,171,172 David Cummins (1975; Cormorant SC, off 10 min, scratch

swimmer) 173,174,175 and Nicholas O’Meara (1977; Clontarf SC, off 3 min 30

sec).75,76,77 The winners of the major sea swim in 1978 in the Greater Dublin area

were all vying for the ultimate prize – Pat White (Guinness SC, Clarke Cup

winner; off 4 min 30 sec),143 David McLoughlin (North Dublin SC, Malahide

Swim winner, off 6 min 30 sec),128 Eamonn Connolly (Atlanta SC, Island Swim

joint winner, off 8 min),135,136,137 Peter Conway (Cormorant SC, Plunkett-

McAllister winner, Findlater Cup winner, 4th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim, off 9

min),129,139,140,141,142 Philip Mooney (Atlanta SC, Island Swim joint winner, off 7

min)135,136.137 and Ciaran Murphy (Cormorant SC, Shannon Swim winner, off 6

min).131,132

Other fancied contenders included Paul O’Dea (Half Moon SC, 13th Dún

Laoghaire Harbour Swim, off 4 min 30 sec),139,140,141 Tom Farrelly (Half Moon

SC, 3rd Dún Laoghaire Habour Swim, off 5 min 30 sec),139,140,141 Dermot Wilkes

(North Dublin SC, Liffey Swim runner-up in 1977, off 2 min 30 sec),75,76,77 and

Pat Cowman (Guinness SC, 5th Island Swim, off 5 min 30 sec).135,136,137 The

Liffey Swim veteran Mick Fitzpatrick (Half Moon SC, off “Go”), one of the

principal organisers, would dip his toe in once more.165

The Irish Independent Cup was won by Jim Mooney (Half Moon SC), one of the

limit men at “Go”. It is noteworthy that five of the first eight swimmers were limit

men. For the first time in Liffey Swim history, all three podium finishers were from

the same club, Half Moon SC. Dermot Hughes and Brian McLoughlin, who

placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, battled out the final stretch to virtually touch

together. With Mick Fitzpatrick who placed 6th, the club prize went to Half Moon

SC.176,177,178

27

Men176,177,178


1 Jim Mooney 16 Half Moon SC At “Go” 17:20

2 Dermot Hughes Half Moon SC 1 min 00 sec 16:42

3 Brian McLoughlin 12 Half Moon SC At “Go” 17:43

4 Noel Dunne Clontarf SC At “Go” 18:34

5 C Voyles Guinness SC 2 min 30 sec 16:42

6 Mick Fitzpatrick Half Moon SC At “Go” 19:26

7 Paul Loscher Clontarf SC At “Go” 19:40

8 Dermot Wilkes North Dublin SC 2 min 30 sec 17:14

David Cummins Cormorant SC 10 min 00 sec 13:20


‡Fastest time


The Liffey Swim Half Moon Trio: Left to right, Jim Mooney, winner, Dermot Hughes (at

back) 2nd and 12-year-old Brian McLoughlin, 3rd [Source: Irish Press, 2 September, 1978]

The women’s race over 600 yards featured the top sea and river swimmers –

the 1977 Liffey Swim winner Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC, off 3 min 15

sec),75,76,77 who had won the Shannon Swim and recorded the 2nd fastest

28

time131,132 and was 4th in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim in the second fastest

time139,140,141; Catherine Linnane (Otter SC, off 3 min 30 sec), fastest swimmer

in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim,139,140,141 2nd in the Half Moon open sea race

in the fastest time,143 winner of the Dublin SC open sea race at Blackrock;142

Cliodna Johnston (Dublin SC, off 2 min 15 sec), winner of the Dún Laoghaire

Harbour Swim;139,140,141 Ann Shalloo (Cormorant SC, off 3 min), fastest time in

the Malahide open sea swim,128 3rd in the Dublin SC open sea swim at Blackrock

in the fastest time,142 2nd in the Shannon Swim;131,132 Susan Linnane (Otter SC,

off 2 min 30 sec), 2nd in then Malahide open sea swim,128 10th in the Half Moon

open sea swim at the Battery;143 Suzanne Corbett (Otter SC, off 2 min), winner

of the Shannon Swim in 1977,18,19 3rd in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour

Swim139,140,141; Ursula McCarroll (Cormorant SC, off 2 min 45 sec), 2nd in the

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim139,140,141; and Caroline Green (King’s Hospital SC,

off 3 min 30 sec, scratch woman), fastest time in the 1977 Liffey Swim,75,76,77

fastest time in the Shannon Swim,131,132 fastest time in the Dún Laoghaire

Harbour Swim,139,140,141 Bronze medallist in the 800m freestyle at the Irish

Swimming Championships.158,159,160

The winner of the Tommy May trophy was Yvonne Smith (Guinness SC), who

was followed home by clubmates Adrienne O’Rourke and Joyce Palmer to

make it a clean sweep of the podium places for Guinness SC, mirroring the

success of Half Moon SC in the men’s event. Together with V White who placed

11th, Guinness SC took the team prize. Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC) and

Caroline Green (King’s Hospital SC) clocked the joint fastest time of

4:19.176,177,178

Women176,177,178


1 Yvonne Smith Guinness SC 1 min 00 sec 5:00

2 Adrienne O’Rourke Guinness SC 0 min 30 sec 5:35

3 Joyce Palmer Guinness SC 1 min 00 sec 5:11

4 H Costelloe Clontarf SC 0 min 30 sec 5:41

5 Sandra Reid Dublin SC 0 min 30 sec 5:45

6 Aideen Doran Dublin SC At “Go” 6:18

7 S Jones Half Moon SC At “Go” 6:19

8 S Downes Half Moon SC At “Go” 6:20

11 V White Guinness SC

Ann Cummins‡ Cormorant 3 min 15 sec 4:19

Caroline Green†‡ King’s Hospital SC 3 min 30 sec 4:19

*Time after limit swimmer at “Go” † Scratch woman

‡ Joint fastest time

29

The end of the year Christmas swims in the Dublin area were held in the coldest

conditions for many years at Blackrock, Forty Foot, and Clontarf.179,180 The Half

Moon Rafter Cup race was postponed because of sea conditions at the Battery.

Venue Organiser Event Winner Blackrock Dublin SC Henry Winterman Cup G Coyle (Crusade) Players Trophy Eithne Kenny (Dublin) Boys P Murphy (St Vincent’s) Girls J Flynn (Dublin) Forty Foot Sandycove SC Men M Lalor Clontarf North Dublin SC O’Reilly Cup Jim Byrne Scully Cup P Byrne Brady Cup Russell Orpen

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31

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32

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page 18 131 Irish Independent. (1978). Swimming: Independent trophy/Shannon race – Ciaran puts on style!, 17

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page 13 148 Western People. (1978). Erris Echoes: Belmullet swimmer wins Cork trophy, 16 September, 1978,

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page 14 154 Irish Independent. (1978). Cummins powers to another record, 14 July, 1978, page 10 155 Irish Times. (1978). Swimming: Cummins wins seven Gold medals at National Championships, 17

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Years of Achievement, pp 278. IASA: Colours Books Ltd, Baldoyle 157 Sunday Independent. (1978). Cummins of the golden stroke, 16 July, 1978, page 20 158 Irish Press. (1978). Swimming: Cummins triumphs but just fails!, 15 July, 1978, page 12 159 Swimming; National Championships – Cummins adds to his gold, 15 July, 1978, page 11 160 Irish Examiner. (1978). First medal for Cork, 15 July, 1978, page 14 161 Irish Press. (1978). Swimming: Cummins in the swim, 14 July, 1978, page 13 162 Irish Times. (1978). Swimming: National Championships – Cummins‘ record feature performance at

Galway, 14 July, 1978, page 3 163 Irish Independent. (1978). Big entry for Liffey Swim, 31 August, 1978, page 15 164 Irish Press. (1978). Liffey Swim, 31 August, 1978, page 13 165 Irish Times. (1978). New siting of Dublin’s age-old Liffey race, 30 August, 1978, page 4 166 Wikipedia. (2016). The Liffey Swim, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liffey_Swim 167 Irish Independent. (1978). Schoolboy takes Liffey Swim, 4 August, 1972, page 12 168 Irish Press. (1978). Third time lucky for O’Meara, 4 August, 1972, page 13 169 Irish Times. (1978). Swimming: O’Meara at third attempt, 4 August, 1972, page 3 170 Irish Independent. (1973). White’s record, but Emmet wins ‘Swim’, 23 August, 1973, page 12 171 Irish Press. (1973). Paul achieves big ambition, 23 August, 1973, page 14 172 Irish Times. (1973). Liffey Swim: Emmett wins a thriller, 23 August, 1973, page 3 173 Irish Press. (1975). Cummins’ Liffey success, 16 August, 1975, page 16 174 Irish Independent. (1975). Teenagers in swim, 16 August, 1975, page 9 175 Irish Times. (1975). Swimming: Young Cummins steals Liffey thunder, 16 August, 1975, page 3 176 Irish Times. (1978). Swimming: Mooney on top in Liffey race, 2 September 1978, page 4

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177 Irish Independent. (1978). Mooney takes Indo Cup, 2 September, 1978, page 9 178 Irish Press. (1978). Moody (NB. Incorrect surname) does all the way to victory, 2 September, 1978,

page 12 179 Irish Independent. (1978). Christmas swims, 27 December, 1978, page 11 180 Irish Independent. (1978). Brady Cup and O’Reilly Cup – Photos, 27 December, 1978, page 10

the liffey swim: the 1970’s decade part 4 1978 · the leinster branch of the i.a.s.a., announced...

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