Man completes first ever swim around Cork city centre

Swimmer Ned Denison has become the first person to swim around Cork city.

Denison, who has completed 49 marathon swims, swam the 8km route around the city centre island in two hours 24 minutes and 49 seconds this evening.

He is the first person to complete the route.

Denison previously swam around Manhattan, False Bay, Rottnest and the Catalina Channel, as well as taking on the English Channel.

He also completed the first ever swims around Valentia Island in Kerry and around Great Island, Cobh.

"The swim was not overly long, but there were severe technical difficulties – going over five weirs and under 30 bridges – some with clearances so low that one safety kayak needed to stop and a second was positioned on the other side," Denison said.

"I have completed more than 25 swims in the River Lee from the city to the harbour entrance. All were enjoyable.

"The government’s investment in main drains in the early 2000s has opened up this tremendous asset for swimming."

Denison aims to complete his 50th marathon swim in late June with the Batalla de Rande in Spain.