‘I kept on going ... just one more stroke’ - Swimming instructor first person to swim from Ballycotton to Ardmore

A swimming instructor has become the first person to complete the gruelling open water swim from Ballycotton to Ardmore on the south east coast.

Carmel Collins, 36, from Mahon in Cork, battled heavy swells and strong currents to complete the arduous 25km-plus swim in 11 hours 37 minutes and 55 seconds.

She was recovering at home yesterday, nursing sore arms, after her marathon effort.