Suicide survivor becomes fastest and oldest person to swim River Shannon

Dermot Higgins swam the 250km waterway stretch in 10 days to raise awareness of mental health issues

Dermot Higgins, aged 62, completed the River Shannon swim in aid of Pieta House. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

A former school teacher turned adventurer, who previously survived a bear attack, has become the fastest and oldest person to swim Ireland’s longest river, the Shannon.

Dermot Higgins swam the 250km waterway stretch in 10 days, four less than the 2023 fastest record holder, Ger Moore from Cork, and also besting the record set by American Dean Hall, the oldest to do it, who did so in 24 days.