Humble cow hailed as ‘true warrior’ after 5km swim

A humble cow is making waves after swimming 5km across a turbulent sea.

Farmer Timmy O’Sullivan, who lives on the Beara Peninsula, had been out looking for his Charolais, little realising she was on the opposite side of Kenmare Bay, in Co Kerry.

The feat came to light when David Baker and his wife Bridget saw a white animal on the shoreline near Templenoe, outside Kenmare. They saw a cow stranded beneath the cliff and contacted nearby farmer Geoffrey Mahony, thinking she might be his.

Mr Mahony confirmed the cow, now named Sirenia, was not his, but they set to work with chainsaws to open a way out for her through trees. Weighing about 650kg, she was in good condition. After Sirenia eventually emerged, they checked herd numbers and found that she belonged to Timmy O’Sullivan, of Lohart, Tuosist.

“It never entered our heads that a cow could have swum across Kenmare Bay — people would only be laughing at us if we had suggested that,’’ said Mr Baker.

“There was a very strong gale blowing and a huge swell the night she crossed. One thing’s certain — this cow’s a true warrior to make it across the bay.’’

How can it be explained? Mr Mahony said the cow had left the shed after possibly hearing cries from her calf. “She probably ran towards the shore and I’d surmise that she was swept into the sea while looking for her calf,” he told Radio Kerry.

“It’s extraordinary that she could make it across the bay. I don’t think we’ll hear many more stories like this one.”