Graignamanagh man to take part in skinny dip
Tom Grace will take part in the sixth annual Dickie Dip fundraiser in aid of men's cancer care, in memory of his late father, Paddy
GRAIGNAMANAGH man Tom Grace will brave the elements in the coming weeks when he takes part in the Mater Hospital Foundation’s annual Dickie Dip challenge in honour of his late father, Paddy, to raise vital funds for men’s cancer care.
Tom, who is a member of the Mater Hospital Foundation fundraising team, will be joined by another 500 men on the beach in Skerries, north Dublin on Saturday 8 November, as they surrender the comforts of a wetsuit in place of just a dickie bow for their dip into the Irish Sea.
The Dickie Dip, now in its sixth year, is an annual all-male skinny dip which has raised €600,000 to provide essential support and services for men’s cancer patients in the Mater Hospital.
Last year’s event raised €186,000, and the foundation is hoping to surpass that number this year, with the biggest group of participants signed up to date.
“What would my dad think? Well, he’d definitely tell us we are mad fools to be charging into the sea at that time of year, but he’d be pleased as punch that his memory is helping others,” Tom said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see the last couple of Dickie Dips first hand, working as part of the team here at the foundation.
“That sense of camaraderie, brotherhood and solidarity with those gents who’ve experienced cancer in their lives… you can really feel it throughout the morning and it gives the event a special atmosphere,” he added.
Tom’s father, Paddy, from Fairview, Graignamanagh was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away in December 2024.
Paddy was well known in the community and locals will remember him from his exploits with Graignamanagh GAA club where he was goalkeeper on the 1972 county final team that brought the club its first adult championship win.
Paddy’s stellar performance that day caught the attention of the Kilkenny selectors and he went on to captain the county to its All-Ireland Intermediate title in 1973.
To find out more and register for The Dickie Dip visit www.materfoundation.ie/dickiedip or contact 01 830 3482 or email contact@materfoundation.ie.
