Best of 2011
THERE is brave, and then there is very, very, very brave.
The crew who jumped into the River Barrow on New Year’s Day fall into the latter category.
Despite the arctic weather conditions, well over swimmers dived into the River Barrow at Carlow Boat Club for the annual swim in aid of Crumlin’s Children Hospital.
Traditionally, the swim, which is in its fifth year, is held on Christmas Day but minus-12 temperatures and the small issue of ice fl oating down the Barrow meant it was postponed until New Year’s Day.
Still, the delay didn’t put a dampener on the event, which had a record turn-out.
“It was brilliant,” said Palatine man Jerry Brennan, who is one of the organisers.
“We have raised €46,500 over the last four years and that is not including what we have raised this year. People still have until the end of January to hand their sponsorship cards in.”
At two degrees, temperatures on the day were positively balmy compared to the previous weeks and Graiguecullen couple Jim and Karen Williamson were on hand with their camera to capture some of the swimmers’ Olympic-style manoeuvres as they dived into the river!
As with last year, members of Carlow Sub Aqua Club, under the guidance of chairman Racey Byrne, jumped into the Barrow first, to make sure the river was safe and there were no stray trolleys hiding in the depths.
Niall Byrne from Scragg’s Pub also reprised his role and handed out hot drinks to everyone, while the Order of Malta had two ambulances on hand in case anything went wrong.
Also helping out this year was SuperValu’s manager Nicky Parle, who kindly allowed eight of Palatine’s juvenile players collect for the charity event at the supermarket in the days leading up to Christmas.
“We are going to do it next year too and we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who turned up on the day and everyone who helped to sponsor the event,” added Jerry.