Irishman makes new bid at marathon swim

An Irishman renewed his vow to swim the gruelling 56-mile channel between Dublin and Holyhead in Wales today after foul weather defeated his first attempt.

Feilim Ó Maoláin admitted he was frustrated after harsh weather dashed his bid to become the first person to swim the stretch solo for charity.

“It was a big disappointment but there are some things you can’t control and the weather is one of them and that is the reality of the situation,” he said.

Mr Ó Maoláin, from Smithfield in Dublin, said he would still attempt the record-breaking 40-hour swim without fins or a wetsuit next summer.

“I’m looking forward to trying it again,” he said. “There is only one consideration and that is the weather, just two days of calm, and I will make full use of it.”

The 44-year-old said the effort would be worth it to raise funds for Brother Kevin Crowley, who runs the Capuchin Day Centre on Dublin’s Bow Street helping homeless people around they city.

The vital centre now provides over 300 free meals, including breakfast and dinner, to Dublin’s homeless and needy each day.

“It is very difficult there is another world out there. Besides the Celtic boom there are a lot of people left behind,” said Brother Kevin, who praised the swimmer’s efforts.

“The state funding, which we are grateful for, mostly covers administration expenses. We have to raise over €200,000 from our own resources to cover food.

“The cost of food is going up all the time.”

The centre said it was difficult to find the money but people were good to them and carried out all sorts of fundraising activities.

Mr Ó Maoláin had planned to swim the Channel during August or September and was looking for a 72-hour calm period for it to go ahead.

But continuous blustery weather thwarted his attempt.

“The whole time we didn’t get it so we will start earlier next summer, possibly the end of June,” the swimmer said.

“We will try to work that. It will be slightly colder water but I am trained for that anyway.”

Mr Ó Maoláin said next summer they would look for a two-day period of quiet seas.

The €16,000 which the swimmer had already raised was given to the centre to hold until he completes the swim next summer.

“Brother Kevin accepted it and we were all very pleased with it,” the civil servant said.

Mr Ó Maoláin said he hopes to raise around €1,000 per mile in next summer’s swim.

The swimmer will be accompanied by a 30-foot boat and crew, including an observer, paramedic, feeder and skipper.

Mr Ó Maoláin will not be allowed to touch the boat but he will constantly be fed energy-building food throughout the attempt.

The determined swimmer admitted he would be on tenterhooks next summer as he awaited calm seas.

To make a donation to the Capuchin Day Centre you can call 01 8720770 or view their website www.homeless.ie