Mullingar man was sixth in Liffey swim
Mullingar man Anthony Hughes was elated last weekend after coming in sixth in the annual Liffey Swim.
“I was actually 13th out of the water, but seven of those ahead of me were in wetsuits,” said Anthony.
Those in wetsuits are not considered to be part of the main swim so Anthony ranked as sixth overall from a field of more than 300.
What makes his performance all the more impressive is that Anthony could technically have used his bus pass to travel to Dublin as he turned 66 earlier this year.
“I was over the moon,” he said this week, adding that he wasn’t the only Mullingar representative in the event: Caroline Duffy and Lisa Duffy participated in the women’s event.
The Liffey Swim is a prestigious event, and Anthony loves it: “I’ve done the Liffey Swim between 25 and 30 times. On one previous occasion, I was placed third and another time I was 10th.”
Traditionally, swim participants enter the water at Watlin Street Bridge, near the Guinness Brewery, and 2.2km downstream, at the Customs House, they emerge.
This year, due to the impact of Covid, the route was altered: while the finish point was still the Custom House, the starting point was at The Point Depot, 1500 metres away.
Always a popular spectator event, at times in the past the marshals have had to limit the numbers trying to get on to the Ha’penny Bridge to view the action.
“The crowds could be three or deep coming up towards O’Connell Street,” says Anthony.
While he loves it, he is aware there are many who would shudder at the thought of immersing themselves in the murky-looking waters of the river: “Everyone talks about the Liffey being dirty, and it is dirty, but it’s not as bad as people say.”
Then again, to qualify to participate in the Liffey Swim, you need to be made of tough stuff: “To take part, you have to have a certain number of swims done. The open water season normally begins at the end of May or the start of June and goes on to the end of September and there can be three open swims in Dublin Bay on a weekend. To take part in the Liffey Swim, you must have at least seven swims done.”
There is an event held each year at Lough Lene which counts towards participation.
“I’ve always swum, but I am now up to 12 or 14 kilometres a week since Covid,” continues Anthony.
“Half of that would be done in the pool and half in the lake – although at this time of the year I will revert to the pool.”
That said, he will still dip in the lake – even if only “for just a few seconds to remind myself I am still alive” he laughs, adding that he doesn’t wear a wetsuit.