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The Liffey Swim

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The Liffey Swim - An Snámh na Life
Established 1920
Inaugural Winner J.J. "Jack" Kennedy (Sandycove SC)
Most Wins Men Richard N. "Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC), 1934,'36,'37,'38
Most Wins Women No woman has yet won the Liffey Swim twice
Current Year 19 September 2015
Current Edition 96th
Sport Open Sea Swimming
Region Leinster
City Dublin
Men's Trophy Irish Independent Cup
Women's Trophy Ladies Challenge Cup
Current Holder Men Donncha Ó Siadhail (Swim4Life)
Current Holder Women Orla Walsh (ESB)
Fastest Swim Men Conor Turner (North Dublin SC)
Fastest Swim Women Ciara Doran (Limerick SC)
Team Winner Men North Dublin SC (2,3,13,16)
Team Winner Women NAC Masters (7,10,15,17)
Organising Body Leinster Open Sea Swimming Committee (http://leinsteropensea.ie/)
Current Sponsor Dublin City Council (Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath)
The 2007 Liffey Swim passes the Dublin Boardwalk.
The Liffey Swim Independent Cup

The Liffey Swim is an annual race in Dublin's main river, the Liffey and is one of Ireland's most famous traditional sporting events. The race is managed by a voluntary not-for-profit committee, the Leinster Open Sea Swimming Committee. The 96th Liffey Swim took place on Saturday 19 September 2015, starting at the Rory O’Moore Bridge (Watling Street Bridge) beside the Guinness Brewery.

The race is one of the last swims in a season of 30 open sea races held during the summer months, organised by the Leinster Open Sea Swimming Committee, and takes place on a Saturday in either late August or early September. Entrants to the Liffey Swim must complete six races (up from four pre 2015) of the season to qualify. Many levels and ages of swimmers compete in the race, but entrants must be a member of a swimming club. International competitors are common. The race is handicapped with the slowest swimmers starting first and the fastest last. Over 340 swimmers took part in the 95th Liffey Swim.However, for five years between 1934 and 1938, the Liffey Swim was run as a scratch race.[1]

Course

The race starts at the Watling Street Bridge (Rory O'More Bridge) near the Guinness Brewery and takes competitors past landmarks such as the Four Courts, under the Ha'penny Bridge to finish between O'Connell Bridge and Butt Bridge at The Custom House.[2] Average entry is 200 males and 80 females. Wetsuits are not allowed. The race is held in the tidal section of the river meaning it is flushed twice daily. Due to the tidal nature of the Liffey, race times vary from year to year.[3]

For four years 1936—1939, the Liffey Swim took place from Bull Wall to Dollymount Strand (in 1939 to Clontarf Baths) because of the degree of pollution of the course stretch of the River Liffey.[1] For the three years 1977—1979, again because of the risks to health caused by pollution, the race was moved to an upstream stretch of the river near Chapelizod, finishing at the slipway of Dublin University Boat House, at Memorial Park, Islandbridge.[1]

Due to the development of the LUAS Bridge, the Rosie Hackett Bridge, from Hawkins Street to Malborough Street, the race diverged from the historic route in 2012 and 2013 starting at the Loopline Bridge beside Butt Bridge and finishing at the pontoon on the North side of the river beside the East Link Bridge in front of the 3Arena. At approx. 1,600 metres it was somewhat shorter than the more spectator friendly route down the Liffey and under its numerous bridges.[4]

History

The first Liffey Swim took place on the 22 July 1920. Bernard Fagan was the first to organise the race. Fagan was a swimmer and became the city analyst for Dublin Corporation in 1923. The race was swum at high tide when there were fewer pollutants. The first Liffey Swim had an entry of 27 male swimmers and was won by J.J Kennedy with Bernard Fagan himself coming in third. Fagan's son Jack Fagan later won the Liffey Swim in 1951. During the 1930s, 40s and early 50s the Liffey Swim attracted large crowds. The race has not changed length from being a distance of one and half miles (2.2 km) but the start and finish points have changed. The race originally started at Victoria Quay, from a Guinness Barge and finished at Burgh Quay. In 1991 the first ladies race was introduced and in the early 1990s the race was moved 400 yards down river to start beside the Civic Offices and to finish opposite the Custom House.[5]

The 2009 Liffey Swim was the 90th edition of the race and saw electronic timing used for the first time.[6][7]

One of the earliest Liffey Swims was portrayed in the Jack B. Yeats 1923 painting entitled The Liffey Swim, which won him the Silver Medal for Painting at the Art competitions at the 1924 Summer Olympics. The painting and the Olympic medal can now be viewed in the National Gallery of Ireland.[8][9]

Trophies

The cup presented to the winner of the women's Liffey Swim race is called the Ladies Challenge Cup. It was presented to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association by The Electricity Supply Board. Between 1977 and 1979, when the Liffey Swim was staged on the Chapelizod-Islandbridge stretch of the river, a trophy provided by Tommy May, winner of the Liffey Swim in 1956, designated The May Cup, was presented to the winner of the women's race.

The cup presented to the winner of the men's Liffey Swim race is called the Irish Independent Cup. It was presented to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association by Independent Newspapers Ltd in 1921. The trophy was made by Hopkins & Hopkins, Dublin Silversmiths, at a cost of 50 guineas [£52-10-0]. The names of all winners since 1920 are engraved on it and its base, as the winner in 1921, John Cyril Hopkins, insisted that the name of the winner of the inaugural Liffey Swim in 1920 be placed on the trophy before his.[1]

Health issues

Dublin Fire Brigade provide decontamination showers at the finish.[10] There have been concerns about the possibility of contracting Weil's disease in the Liffey as well as other safety concerns relating to pollution.[11][12] Studies have found that E. coli levels in the Liffey are higher than EPA standard levels.[13]

Liffey Swim - Facts and Trivia

  • The winner of the Liffey Swim in 1920, J.J. “Jack” Kennedy, was the grandson of Alderman John O’Connor, Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1885.
  • Liffey Swim with the smallest number of starters/finishers - 20th edition in 1939 - 15 started/12 finished - held over 1¾-mile (2.8 km) course from Bull Wall to Clontarf Baths
  • Liffey Swim with the highest number of men finishing - 96st edition in 2015 - 263 finishers
  • Liffey Swim with the highest number of women finishing - 88th edition in 2007 - 115 finishers
  • First double winner of the Liffey Swim - Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) on 10 August 1966 and 14 August 1967
  • Youngest ever male winner of the Liffey Swim - Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) in 1966 at age 11
  • Youngest ever female winner of the Liffey Swim - Mairéad Doran (Dublin SC) on 11 September 1979 at age 10 on Islandbridge course
  • First time the Liffey Swim was swum on a Saturday - 57th Liffey Swim on 14 August 1976
  • First time the Liffey Swim was swum in the afternoon - 57th Liffey Swim at 15.00 hrs
  • Brothers who have won the Liffey Swim - William F. "Billy" Case (1930) and Richard N. "Ritchie" Case (1934, 1936, 1937, 1938) - Clontarf SC; Cyril Hardy (1957) and Anthony "Tony" Hardy (1960) - Crusade Aquatic Club; Colm O'Brien (1963) - Half Moon SC and Bert O'Brien (1988,1995) - Sandycove SC; Fintan O'Meara (1972) and Nicholas O'Meara (1977) - Clontarf SC; Greg O'Dwyer (1986) and Brian O'Dwyer (2010) - Guinness SC; Pat O'Driscoll (2009) - Templeogue SC and Ciarán O'Driscoll (2013) - Half Moon SC Michael Mongey St. Vincents wpc 1997 and Brian Mongey Millenium SC 2000
  • First winner of Liffey Swim from Cork - Andrew Crosbie (Sunday's Well SC, Cork) in 1935, under scratch conditions
  • First Winner of the Liffey Swim from Limerick - Joe Grant (Shannon SC) in 1950
  • First Winner of the Liffey Swim from Galway - Patrick "Pat" Broderick (Galway SC) in 1955
  • Lowest men's winning team score - 1941 North Dublin WSC (1,2,3,4) 10pts - T. Hannigan, S. Thomas, J. Fagan and J. Colgan
  • In 1967 William F. Case, winner in 1930, now Detective Garda Case, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for rescuing a man and a boy at Barley Cove, West Cork against a strong current, an act of exceptional bravery and heroism involving risk to his own life.
  • Liffey Swim-Winner Olympians - Thomas "Hayes" Dockrell (1922), 1928 Amsterdam - Water Polo; Charles "Cecil" Fagan (1923), 1924 Paris - Water Polo; David Cummins (1975), 1980 Moscow - 100 m Butterfly, 200 m Butterfly, 200 m Backstroke.
  • Liffey Swim-Fastest Swimmer Olympians - Donnacha O'Dea (1963, 1965), 1968 Mexico City - 100 m Freestyle, 100 m Butterfly, 200 m Individual Medley; David Cummins (1976, 1977, 1978), 1980 Moscow - 100 m Butterfly, 200 m Butterfly, 200 m Backstroke; Kevin Williamson (2000), 1976 Montreal - 200 m Freestyle, 400 m Freestyle, 1500 m Freestyle, 1980 Moscow - 200 m Freestyle, 400 m Freestyle
  • John Cyril Hopkins, Winner of the 2nd Liffey Swim in 1921, became a Sergeant Pilot 17th Fighter Squadron R.A.F.; he was killed on 4 December 1933 as a result of a mid-air-collision flying accident between two Bristol Bulldog aircraft at Milton Lilbourne, Wiltshire, England
  • Highest number of Liffey Swim wins by a man - 4 - Richard N. "Ritchie" Case (1934,1936,1937,1938), all under scratch conditions
  • Highest number of Liffey Swim wins by a woman - as at 2015 no woman has won the race twice
  • Double winners of the Liffey Swim under handicap - Francis "Chalkey" White (1966, 1967), Arthur "Art" Dunne (1981, 1982), Bert O'Brien (1988,1995)
  • Entry Fee for the 1st Liffey Swim in 1920 - 2/6 (2 shillings and 6 pence) (€0.16)
  • Entry Fee for the 50th Liffey Swim in 1969 - still 2/6 (2 shillings and 6 pence) - in terms of the relative wage of a working man 1920 versus 1969 about 7½ pence (€0.04)
  • Youngest Male Swimmer to place in top 3 - Ciarán O'Driscoll (Dublin SC) aged 10 – 2nd by 2 yards in the 56th Liffey Swim in 1975
  • Longest gap between being Runner-up in and Winner of the Liffey Swim - 38 years - Ciarán O'Driscoll (runner-up 1975, winner 2013)
  • In 1981 two Brothers, Arthur "Art" Dunne (15-years-old) and Gerry Dunne (23-years-old), fought out a stroke-for-stroke duel over the final yards of the Liffey Swim to the finishing boom; Art Dunne was adjudged the winner by a touch
  • Most Liffey Swims swum - Jackie Kearney (Dublin SC) and Paul Emmett (Half Moon) - exact numbers disputed
  • Longest run of winners from same club - 6 - Half Moon SC (1978-1983) - Jimmy Mooney, Dermot Hughes, Michael Fitzpatrick, Arthur Dunne (twice), Paul Kealy
  • Earliest date in the year that the race has been swum - 24th Liffey Swim - 25 June 1943
  • Latest date in the year that the race has been swum - 88th Liffey Swim - 15 September 2007
  • Earliest start time - 93rd Liffey Swim -18 August 2012 at 11.15 - Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge near the 3Arena
  • Latest start time - 65th Liffey Swim - 21 August 1984 at 20.00
  • Brother and Sister Winners of the Liffey Swim - David Cummins (Cormorant SC) 1975 and Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC) 1977 (her brother was the fastest swimmer in 1977)
  • Husband and Wife Liffey Swim Winners - Ciarán O'Driscoll (2013) - Half Moon SC and Siobhán Hoare (1991) - Half Moon SC
  • Male winners of the Liffey Swim who also placed 2nd - John Cyril Hopkins (winner 1921, runner-up 1922); Thomas Hayes Dockrell (winner 1922, runner-up 1923); Richard N. Case (winner 1934,1936,1937,1938, runner-up 1939); Jimmy Rafter (winner 1946, runner-up 1944); Patrick G. Condon (winner 1944, runner-up 1947); Michael Fitzpatrick (winner 1980, runner-up 1972,1974); Bert O'Brien (winner 1988,1995, runner-up 1967), Ciarán O'Driscoll (winner 2013, runner-up 1975)
  • Longest gap between Liffey Swim Wins - 7 years - Bert O'Brien (1988, 1995)
  • Two sets of brothers finished in the top ten placings in the 62nd Liffey Swim in 1981 - The Dunne brothers, Art and Gerry, 1st and 2nd, respectively, and the O'Dea brothers, Paul and Joe, 7th and 10th, respectively
  • Greatest number of fastest times in Liffey Swim - 9 - Francis "Chalkey" White (1966-1971,1973,1974,1980); he missed the Liffey Swim in 1972 while representing Ireland at an international meeting in Belgium and attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games in Munich
  • Longest sequence of fastest swims - 6 - Francis "Chalkey" White (1966-1971)
  • Thomas A. "Tommy" O'Reilly, Winner of Liffey Swim in 1926, became President of the I.R.F.U. in 1963-64
  • Father and son winner and fastest swimmer in same year - 2009: Pat O'Driscoll winner and Daire O'Driscoll fastest swim, nephew of Ciarán O'Driscoll, 2013 winner
  • Liffey Swim winners in the fastest times under handicap - 1932: Leo Maher (Republican SC); 1946: Jimmy Rafter (Half Moon SC); 1958: Robin Power (Sunday’s Well SC, Cork); 1966: Francis 'Chalkey' White (Guinness SC); 1967: Francis 'Chalkey' White (Guinness SC); 2003: John Morton (Wicklow SC); 2006: Kevin Stacey (Coolmine SC)
  • Butch Moore (North Dublin SC), a competitor in the 1955 Liffey Swim, achieved celebrity status in 1965 as Ireland’s first contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest in Naples singing Walking in Streets in the Rain; Ireland placed 6th of 18 entrants
  • Rachel Lee, the 2014 winner and fastest swimmer off scratch, had previously achieved the fastest Liffey swim by a woman on at least four occasions
  • Father and son winners of the Liffey Swim - Derek "Bimbo" Wilkes 1989 and Gerard Wilkes 2014 of North Dublin SC
  • Ken Turner, fastest time in 1991 and 1992, and Alan Turner, fastest time in 2001, are brothers
  • Conor Turner, four times the fastest times in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015, is a nephew of Ken Turner, fastest time in 1991 and 1992, and of Alan Turner, fastest time in 2001
  • Niall O'Sullivan,Dublin SC won the first prize for first outside the winners prizes for going under the new Rosie O'Hackett Bridge when the prize was first introduced in 2014.
  • Patrick Sheehan (Sheehan) (Garda SC), who finished in the Liffey Swim in 1932, is the father of John Sheahan, Irish musician and composer and the last surviving member of The Dubliners[14]

Roll of Honour

Liffey Swim Winners - Men

  • 1920 J.J. "Jack" Kennedy (Sandycove SC) 28:34
  • 1921 John Cyril Hopkins (Pembroke SC) 27:31
  • 1922 Thomas "Hayes" Dockrell (Dublin SC) 29:12
  • 1923 Charles "Cecil" Fagan (Sandycove SC) 29:15
  • 1924 O'Sullivan Roche (Clontarf SC) 32:25
  • 1925 Gerald C. "Gerry" Higginbotham (Sandycove SC) 30:25
  • 1926 Thomas A. O'Reilly (Clontarf SC) 29:26
  • 1927 James P. Wallace (St Andrew's College) 28:37
  • 1928 Philip T. Brooks (Dublin University SC) 28:17
  • 1929 Dermot J. Healy (Sandycove SC) 29:28
  • 1930 Willam F. "Billy" Case (Clontarf SC) 27:38
  • 1931 E.J. Doyle (Clontarf SC) 32:45
  • 1932 Leo Maher (Republican SC) 25:42
  • 1933 John "Johnny" Ellis (Clontarf SC) 27:07
  • 1934 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 27:02
  • 1935 Andrew Crosbie (Sunday's Well SC, Cork) 27:04
  • 1936 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 29:59‡
  • 1937 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 27:29‡
  • 1938 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 32:15‡
  • 1939 William Haskins Ashmore (Dublin University SC) 51:30†
  • 1940 Patrick Kinsella (Sandycove SC) 25:26
  • 1941 Tom Hannigan (North Dublin SC) 29:22
  • 1942 Christopher P. Cloake (Dublin SC) 26:35
  • 1943 Anthony W. Kennett (Pembroke SC) 28:45
  • 1944 Patrick G. Condon (North Dublin SC) 27:45
  • 1945 J.P.D. "Jack" Cassidy (Clontarf SC) 26:25
  • 1946 John "Jimmy" Rafter (Half Moon SC) 31:42
  • 1947 Kenneth E. Ruddock (Carlow SC) 29:10
  • 1948 David Griffin (North Dublin SC) 31:27
  • 1949 Frank O'Donovan (North Dublin SC) 24:22
  • 1950 Joe Grant (Shannon SC) 25:42
  • 1951 J.J. "Jack" Fagan (North Dublin SC) 26:03
  • 1952 Gerry Best (Half Moon SC) 25:03
  • 1953 Gerry Boland (North Dublin SC) 26:03
  • 1954 Jimmy Markey (Dublin SC) 24:57
  • 1955 Patrick "Pat" Broderick (Galway SC) 26:40
  • 1956 Thomas "Tommy" May (Colmcille SC) 25:32
  • 1957 Cyril Hardy (Crusade Aquatic Club) 26:30
  • 1958 Robin Power (Sunday's Well SC, Cork) 22:42
  • 1959 Kevin King (Crusade Aquatic Club) 25:07
  • 1960 Seán Heffernan (Clontarf SC) 23:36
  • 1961 Anthony "Tony" Hardy (Crusade Aquatic Club) 24:12
  • 1962 Anthony "Tony" Byrne (Dublin SC) 24:33
  • 1963 Colm O'Brien (Half Moon SC) 24:25
  • 1964 David Page (North Dublin SC) 23:52
  • 1965 Patrick J. Kelly (Guinness SC) 22:10
  • 1966 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 22:02
  • 1967 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 21:44
  • 1968 William H. "Liam" Lacey (Colmcille SC) 22:23
  • 1969 John Mulvey (Half Moon SC) 24:02
  • 1970 David Fitzgerald (Crusade Aquatic Club) 25:01
  • 1971 Ultan Kerrigan (North Dublin SC) 27:10
  • 1972 Fintan O'Meara (Clontarf SC) 23:38
  • 1973 Paul Emmett (Half Moon SC) 21:10
  • 1974 Liam Bohane (Half Moon SC) 20:27
  • 1975 David Cummins (Cormorant SC) 21:20
  • 1976 Kevin Scully (Templeogue SC)
  • 1977 Nicholas "Nicky" O'Meara (Clontarf SC) 21:45§
  • 1978 Jim Mooney (Half Moon SC) 17:20§
  • 1979 Dermot Hughes (Half Moon SC) 20:24§
  • 1980 Michael "Mick" Fitzpatrick (Half Moon SC) 25:54
  • 1981 Arthur "Art" Dunne (Half Moon SC)24:50
  • 1982 Arthur "Art" Dunne (Half Moon SC) 21:27
  • 1983 Paul Kealy (Half Moon SC) 23:32
  • 1984 Jason Stynes (Kingdom SC) 24:13
  • 1985 Richard Joyce (North Dublin SC) 23:25
  • 1986 Greg O'Dwyer (Guinness SC) 20:21
  • 1987 Shane Nicoletti (Guinness SC) 23:22
  • 1988 Bert O'Brien (Sandycove SC) 22:36
  • 1989 Derek "Bimbo" Wilkes (North Dublin SC) 26:48
  • 1990 Oliver Flanagan (St. Vincent's SC) 21:11
  • 1991 Vincent Tormey (Dublin University SC) 25:29
  • 1992 Mattie Waine (Guinness SC) 20:40
  • 1993 John Dunne (Metro SC) 21:35
  • 1994 Michael Finnegan (ESB SC) 22:49
  • 1995 Bert O'Brien (Sandycove SC) 23:03
  • 1996 Frank Chatham (North Dublin SC) 22:20
  • 1997 Michael Mongey (St Vincent's WPC) 21:05
  • 1998 Frank Carroll (Glenalbyn SC) 22:08
  • 1999 John Ward (Aer Lingus SC) 24:53
  • 2000 Brian Mongey (Millenium SC) 26:16
  • 2001 Paul Byrne (North Dublin SC) 24:31
  • 2002 Pascal Russell (St Paul's SC) [age 59]
  • 2003 John Morton (Wicklow SC)
  • 2004 Robert Clarke (Eastern Bay SC)
  • 2005 Dan Smyth (NAC Masters SC) 29:54
  • 2006 Kevin Stacey (Coolmine SC) 27:24
  • 2007 Larry Mooney (Guinness SC) 26:01
  • 2008 Charles Harper (Dublin SC) 18:13
  • 2009 Pat O'Driscoll (Templeogue SC) 26:37
  • 2010 Brian O'Dwyer (Guinness SC) 26:40
  • 2011 Declan Proctor (Eastern Bay SC) 39:43
  • 2012 Tom Loftus (Eastern Bay SC) 23:39≠
  • 2013 Ciarán O'Driscoll (Half Moon SC) 23:16≠
  • 2014 Gerard Wilkes (North Dublin SC) 34:49¶#
  • 2015 Donncha Ó Siadhail (Swim4Life) 31:01#
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

‡ Bull Wall to Dollymount Strand, scratch race; † Bull Wall to Clontarf Baths, handicapped race; § Liffey Swim held at Chapelizod finishing at the Dublin University Boat House, Islandbridge, handicapped race; ≠Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge at the 3Arena; ¶ Rory O'Moore Bridge (Watling Street) to Custom House Quay under Rosie Hackett Bridge for first time; # Race swum against an incoming tide, accounting for slower times

Liffey Swim Winners - Women

  • 1920-1976 Not Held
  • 1977 Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC) 6:18†
  • 1978 Yvonne Smith (Guinness SC) 5:00‡
  • 1979 Mairéad Doran (Dublin SC) 6:42§
  • 1980-1990 Not Held
  • 1991 Siobhán Hoare (Half Moon SC) 27:13
  • 1992 Annie Hudson (Wicklow SC) 22:35
  • 1993 Jill Donaghey (Dublin SC) 23:09
  • 1994 Mary McDermot (Dublin SC) 23:03
  • 1995 Elaine Murphy (ESB SC) 22:15
  • 1996 Caroline Fleming (Tallaght SC) 26:18
  • 1997 Róisín Ryan (Barracuda SC) 23:00
  • 1998 Aishling Wadden (Wicklow SC) 27:23
  • 1999 Debbie Doyle (Millenium SC) 25:40
  • 2000 Ciara O'Sullivan (St. Paul's SC) 24:15
  • 2001 Valerie Spollen (Phoenix SC) 20:23
  • 2002 Mary Rose Keegan (Otter SC)
  • 2003 Sandra Trappe (Dublin SC)
  • 2004 Colette Kelly (Guinness SC)
  • 2005 Molly Molloy (Dublin SC) 30:52
  • 2006 Claire Gavaghan (ESB SC) 23:57
  • 2007 Sandy Dowling (Eastern Bay SC) 25:55
  • 2008 Mary Kelly (Aer Lingus SC)
  • 2009 Sorcha Barry (Glenalbyn SC) 25:55
  • 2010 Deirdre Dunne (St Vincent's SC) 26:39
  • 2011 Maria Quintanilla (Dublin SC) 32:23
  • 2012 Clodagh Nolan (Carraig Masters SC) 22:35≠
  • 2013 Gina Murphy (Glenalbyn Masters SC) 28:22≠
  • 2014 Rachel Lee (Guinness SC) 30:15¶#
  • 2015 Orla Walsh (ESB) 30:17#
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

† 500 yards race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House; ‡ 500 metres race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House; § 600 metres race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House, Islandbridge; ≠ Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge at the 3Arena; ¶ Rory O'Moore Bridge (Watling Street) to Custom House Quay under Rosie Hackett Bridge for first time; # Race swum against an incoming tide, accounting for slower times

Liffey Swim Winners - Teams Men

A club team competition was inaugurated in 1934 on the occasion of the 15th Liffey Swim. A scoring team comprised four swimmers, with the placings of the first four members of each team to count as points. The team with the lowest aggregate points was deemed the winner of this subsidiary competition for a special prize. A silver-mounted mahogany shield, sponsored by Independent Newspapers Ltd., was presented for the first time for the team competition in 1960 at the 41st Liffey Swim.

  • 1920-1933 Not held
  • 1934 Clontarf SC (1,6,7,8) 22pts
  • 1935 Clontarf SC (3,7,8,11) 29pts
  • 1936 Clontarf SC (1,5,6,7) 19pts‡
  • 1937 Clontarf SC (1,3,4,7) 15pts‡
  • 1938 Clontarf SC (1,2,6,9) 18pts‡
  • 1939 North Dublin Winter SC (4,5,6,8) 23pts†
  • 1940 Clontarf SC (4,5,8,14) 31pts
  • 1941 North Dublin Winter SC (1,2,3,4) 10pts
  • 1942 Pembroke SC (3,9,10,12) 34pts
  • 1943 North Dublin Winter SC (3,5,6,10) 24pts
  • 1944 North Dublin Winter SC (1,7,11,13) 32pts
  • 1945 North Dublin Winter SC (6,12,14,18) 50pts
  • 1946 Clontarf SC (4,5,7,18) 34pts
  • 1947 North Dublin Winter SC (2,5,8,12) 27pts
  • 1948 North Dublin Winter SC (1,2,7,8) 18pts
  • 1949 North Dublin Winter SC (1,6,8,9) 24pts
  • 1950 North Dublin Winter SC (5,6,10,11) 32pts
  • 1951 Dublin SC (4,6,10,13) 33pts
  • 1952 North Dublin Winter SC (2,6,7,8) 23pts
  • 1953 North Dublin Winter SC (1,3,6,9) 19pts
  • 1954 Dublin SC (1,3,7,9) 20pts
  • 1955 North Dublin Winter SC (2,8,10,12) 32pts
  • 1956 Pembroke SC (5,6,13,14) 38pts
  • 1957 North Dublin Winter SC (2,7,11,??)
  • 1958 North Dublin Winter SC (4,9,13,16) 42pts
  • 1959 Clontarf SC (3,4,9,13) 29pts
  • 1960 Dublin SC (2,5,6,15) 28pts
  • 1961 Clontarf SC (2,3,5,NP)≠
  • 1962 Club Snámha Columcille (2,3,7,12) 24pts
  • 1963 Half Moon SC (1,10,14,15) 40pts, tied
    Club Snámha Columcille (6,7,11,16) 40pts, tied
  • 1964 North Dublin Winter SC (1,2,8,9) 20pts
  • 1965 Club Snámha Columcille (3,5,NP,NP)≠
  • 1966 Club Snámha Columcille (3,8,12,NP)≠
  • 1967 Half Moon SC (2,3,4,5) 14pts
  • 1968 Half Moon SC (2,3,5,??)
  • 1969 Club Snámha Columcille (2,3,7,10) 22pts
  • 1970 Guinness SC (5,6,7,??)
  • 1971 Half Moon SC (2,6,13,15) 36pts
  • 1972 Half Moon SC (2,3,4,8) 17pts
  • 1973 Half Moon SC (1,2,7,16) 26pts
  • 1974 Half Moon SC (1,2,7,9) 19pts
  • 1975 Dublin SC (2,7,9,12) 30pts
  • 1976 Templeogue SC (1,2,11,12) 26pts
  • 1977 North Dublin Winter SC (2,7,10,??)§
  • 1978 Half Moon SC (1,2,3,6) 12pts§
  • 1979 Half Moon SC (1,2,6,??)§
  • 1980 Half Moon SC (1,3,7,8) 19pts
  • 1981 Half Moon SC (1,2,7,8) 19pts
  • 1982 Half Moon SC (1,4,5,8) 18pts
  • 1983 Half Moon SC (1,2,5,7) 15pts
  • 1984 Half Moon SC (4,6,8,10) 28pts
  • 1985 Half Moon SC (2,3,4,5) 14pts
  • 1986 Atlanta/Metro SC (2,3,12,18) 35pts
  • 1987 North Dublin Winter SC (15,16,21,25) 77 pts
  • 1988 Clontarf SC (2,10,18,22) 51pts
  • 1989 North Dublin Winter SC (1,2,7,8) 18pts
  • 1990 Guinness SC (3,4,5,6) 18pts
  • 1991 Half Moon SC (4,6,11,15) 36pts
  • 1992 Guinness SC (1,2,7,15) 25pts
  • 1993 Metro SC (1,4,9,10) 24 pts
  • 1994 St. Vincent's (6,11,22,30) 69pts
  • 1995 Glenalbyn (6,12,19,21) 58pts
  • 1996 Sandycove SC (2,8,11,25) 46pts
  • 1997 St Vincent's (1,2,11,19) 33pts
  • 1998 Glenalbyn (1,3,16,28) 48pts
  • 1999 Guinness SC (4,5,6,??)
  • 2000 Half Moon SC
  • 2001 Half Moon SC (2,14,??,32)
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005 St Vincent's SC (3,11,14,29) 57pts
  • 2006 Sandycove SC (4,12,13,23) 52pts
  • 2007 Guinness SC (1,2,9,22) 34pts
  • 2008
  • 2009 Sandycove SC (7,17,18,23) 65pts
  • 2010 Eastern Bay SC (2,5,14,17) 38pts
  • 2011 Sandycove SC (9,11,24,44) 88pts
  • 2012 Eastern Bay (1,3,8,10) 22pts♦
  • 2013 North Dublin WSC (4,10,16,21) 51pts♦
  • 2014 NAC Masters SC (1,3,32,33) 66pts¶
  • 2015 North Dublin SC (2,3,9,26) 34pts
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

‡ Bull Wall to Dollymount Strand, scratch race; † Bull Wall to Clontarf Baths, handicapped race; § Liffey Swim held at Memorial Park, Chapelizod finishing at the slipway of Dublin University Boat House, Islandbridge, handicapped race; ≠ NP=not published in newspaper reports; ♦ Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge at the 3Arena; ¶ Rory O'Moore Bridge (Watling Street) to Custom House Quay under Rosie Hackett Bridge for first time

Liffey Swim Winners - Teams Women

  • 1920-1976 Not held
  • 1977 Otter SC (2,4,??)†
  • 1978 Guinness SC (1,2,3,11) 17pts‡
  • 1979 §
  • 1980-1990 Not Held
  • 1991 Glenalbyn SC (2,8,10,14) 34pts
  • 1992
  • 1993 Glenalbyn SC (4,10,12,13) 39pts
  • 1994 Glenalbyn SC (2,3,4,11) 20pts
  • 1995 Polar Bears SC (2,4,20,45) 71pts
  • 1996 Polar Bears SC (11,13,14,20) 58pts
  • 1997 Polar Bears (2,7,9,29) 47pts
  • 1998 Dundrum SC (6,7,10,28) 51pts
  • 1999 Millenium SC (1,2,5,??)
  • 2000 Dublin SC (3,??.??,??)
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005 Dublin SC (1,13,17,18) 49pts
  • 2006 Dublin SC (6,7,11,17) 41pts
  • 2007 Eastern Bay (1,3,11,17) 32pts
  • 2008
  • 2009 Glenalbyn Masters (1,3,5,8) 17pts
  • 2010 Eastern Bay (6,7,8,17) 38pts
  • 2011 Glenalbyn Masters (4,6,13,14) 37pts
  • 2012 Dublin SC (5,7,13,14) 39pts♦
  • 2013 Glenalbyn Masters (1,7,8,13) 29pts♦
  • 2014 Dublin SC (3,11,19,26) 59pts¶
  • 2015 NAC Masters (7,10,15,17) 49pts
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

† 500 yards race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House, three to score; ‡ 500 metres race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House; § 600 metres race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House, Islandbridge; ♦ Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge at the 3Arena; ¶ Rory O'Moore Bridge (Watling Street) to Custom House Quay under Rosie Hackett Bridge for first time

Liffey Swim - Fastest Men

  • 1920 C.R. Walsh (Sandycove SC) 27:25 (13th)
  • 1921 Ernest Edmondson Benson (Dublin University SC) (4th)
  • 1922
  • 1923
  • 1924
  • 1925 J.H.M. Macredy (Pembroke SC) 27:00 (9th), tied;
    K.J. McLean§ (Pembroke SC) 27:00 (17th), tied
  • 1926
  • 1927 Cecil Fagan (Sandycove SC) 26:35 (7th)
  • 1928
  • 1929
  • 1930 J. Leo O'Brien (Sandycove SC) 25:00 (19th)
  • 1931
  • 1932 Leo Maher (Republican SC) 25:42 (1st)
  • 1933 Philip Hannigan (Republican SC) 25:32 (2nd)
  • 1934 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 27:02 (1st)‡
  • 1935 Andrew Crosbie (Sunday's Well SC, Cork) 27:04 (1st)‡
  • 1936 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 29:59 (1st)‡
  • 1937 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 27:29 (1st)‡
  • 1938 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 32:15 (1st)‡
  • 1939 Richard N."Ritchie" Case (Clontarf SC) 50:26 (2nd)#
  • 1940
  • 1941 W.H.H. Deane (Sandycove SC) 25:25 (28th)
  • 1942 William H. Ashmore (Dublin University SC) 23:00
  • 1943 William P. "Bill" Hawkins (Dublin SC) 25:05 (2nd)
  • 1944 William P. "Bill" Hawkins (Dublin SC) 24:01 (3rd)
  • 1945 Des Corbett (Bray Cove SC) 23:25 (15th)
  • 1946 Jimmy Rafter (Half Moon SC) 31:42 (1st)
  • 1947 Patrick G. Condon (North Dublin WSC) 26:43 (2nd)
  • 1948 William P. "Bill" Hawkins (Dublin SC) 27:45 (10th)
  • 1949 John Caldwell "Jack" Wardrop (Motherwell ASC, Scotland) 19:02 (2nd)
  • 1950 J.P.D. "Jack" Cassidy (Clontarf SC) 24:40 (16th)
  • 1951 Eric W. Briggs (Pembroke SC) 24:35 (5th)
  • 1952 Eric W. Briggs (Pembroke SC) 23:07
  • 1953 Cecil Young (Wellington SC, Belfast) 22:00 (20th)
  • 1954 Paddy Arrigan (Curragh) 22:00 (2nd)
  • 1955 Freddy Parkes (Wellington SC, Belfast) 24:36 (3rd)
  • 1956 Freddy Parkes (Wellington SC, Belfast) 24:05 (11th)
  • 1957 Gerard F. Callanan (Pembroke SC) 25:01 (5th)
  • 1958 Robin Power (Sunday's Well, Cork) 25:27 (1st), tied
    Gerard F. Callanan (Pembroke SC) 25:27, tied
  • 1959 Robin Power (Sunday's Well, Cork) 22:52 (2nd)
  • 1960 Rory O'Connor (Club Snámha Columcille) 22:27
  • 1961 Owen Corrigan (Club Snámha Columcille) 22:35 (6th)
  • 1962 Nicholas Smith (Dublin SC) 21:29 (4th)
  • 1963 Donnacha O'Dea (Club Snámha Columcille) 20:35 (16th)
  • 1964 Owen Corrigan (Club Snámha Columcille) 21:49 (6th)
  • 1965 Donnacha O'Dea (Club Snámha Columcille) 20:00
  • 1966 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 22:02 (1st)
  • 1967 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 21:44 (1st)
  • 1968 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 19:52 (11th)
  • 1969 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 21:31 (9th)
  • 1970 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 20:20 (5th)
  • 1971 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 19:25 (14th)
  • 1972 Liam Bohane (Half Moon SC) 20:00 (3rd)
  • 1973 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC & Villanova) 18:02
  • 1974 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 19:24 (13th)
  • 1975 Lorcan Shelley (Terenure SC) 21:18 (4th)
  • 1976 David Cummins (Cormorant SC) 21:32
  • 1977 David Cummins (Cormorant SC) 16:32†
  • 1978 David Cummins (Cormorant SC) 13:20†
  • 1979 †
  • 1980 Francis "Chalkey" White (Guinness SC) 18:44 (13th)
  • 1981 W. Kehoe (Sandycove SC) 22:26
  • 1982 Aidan Towey (Terenure SC) 18:22
  • 1983 Tadgh Murphy (Half Moon SC) 19:02
  • 1984 Tadgh Murphy (Half Moon SC) 22:00
  • 1985 Jason Stynes (Kingdom SC, Kerry) 19:10
  • 1986 Aidan Towey (Terenure SC) 16:32
  • 1987 Shane Moraghan (Glenalbyn) 20:20 (3rd)
  • 1988 Shane Moraghan (Glenalbyn) 17:06
  • 1989 Mark Water (Triton SC) 21:40 (21st)
  • 1990 Shane Moraghan (Glenalbyn) 18:26
  • 1991 Ken Turner (Glenalbyn SC) 20:25 (3rd)
  • 1992 Ken Turner (CRC SC) 18:27
  • 1993 Stephen Saunders (Terenure College SC) 18:29
  • 1994 Stephen Saunders (Terenure College SC) 17:48
  • 1995 Stephen Saunders (Trojan SC) 21:21
  • 1996 Stephen Saunders (Trojan SC) 20:50
  • 1997 Stephen Saunders (Trojan SC) 17:10
  • 1998 Eoin Fahy (Half Moon SC) 21:45 (6th)
  • 1999 D. Farrell (Sandycove SC) 21:47
  • 2000 Kevin Williamson (Terenure College SC) 23:29 [age 41]
  • 2001 Alan Turner (Aer Lingus SC)
  • 2002 Eoin Fahy (Guinness SC)
  • 2003 John Morton (Wicklow SC) (1st)
  • 2004
  • 2005 Kevin Stacey (Coolmine SC) 24:06 (45th)
  • 2006 Kevin Stacey (Coolmine SC) 27:24 (1st)
  • 2007 Shane Drumm (ESB SC) 20:16 (5th)
  • 2008
  • 2009 Daire O'Driscoll (Templeogue SC) 22:42 (14th)
  • 2010 Séamus Stacey (NUI Maynooth SC) 19:29 (12th)
  • 2011 Conor Turner (Aer Lingus SC) 28:20 (35th)
  • 2012 Conor Turner (Aer Lingus SC) 16:07 (139th)♦
  • 2013 Donncha Ó Siadhail (NUI Maynooth SC) 21:02 (55th)♦
  • 2014 Conor Turner (Aer Lingus SC) 29:43 (2nd)¶
  • 2015 Conor Turner (North Dublin SC) 29:57 (3rd)
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

§ He appeared as "J. Pembroke" in the results; ‡ Scratch races; # Handicapped race from Bull Wall to Clontarf Baths; † Race swum at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House, Islandbridge; ♦ Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge at the 3Arena; ¶ Rory O'Moore Bridge (Watling Street) to Custom House Quay under Rosie Hackett Bridge for first time

Liffey Swim - Fastest Women

  • 1920-1976 Not held
  • 1977 Caroline Green (King's Hospital SC) 6:13†
  • 1978 Ann Cummins (Cormorant SC) 4:19, tied‡
    Caroline Green (King's Hospital) 4:19, tied‡
  • 1979 §
  • 1980-1990 Not Held
  • 1991 L. Clarke (Glenalbyn SC) 25:11
  • 1992 L. Campbell (King's Hospital SC) 19:22
  • 1993
  • 1994 D. McGlynn (Portmarnock SC) 18:43
  • 1995
  • 1996 Heidi Kinsella (Glenalbyn SC) 24:08
  • 1997 E. Mulholland (Glenalbyn SC) 20:11
  • 1998 Rachel Lee (Eastern Bay SC) 23:09
  • 1999
  • 2000 Rachel Lee (Guinness SC) 20:33
  • 2001 Yvonne Emerson (Cormorant SC)
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005 Rachel Lee (Guinness SC) 23:00 (10th)
  • 2006 Suzanna Murphy (Trojan SC) 23:28 (8th)
  • 2007 Gillian Gavaghan (ESB SC) 21:26 (36th)
  • 2008
  • 2009 Rachel Lee (Guinness SC) 24:13 (15th)
  • 2010 Suzanne Murphy (Glenalbyn Masters SC) 20:39 (102nd)
  • 2011 Sinead Tyrrell (Garda SC) 26:58 (3rd)
  • 2012 Sinead Tyrrell (Garda SC) 17:16 (94th)♦
  • 2013 Danika Sugrue (Aer Lingus SC) 21:49 (73rd)♦
  • 2014 Rachel Lee (Guinness SC) 30:15(1st)¶
  • 2015 Ciara Doran (Limerick SC) 28:38 (3rd)
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

† 500 yards race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House; ‡ 500 metres race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House; § 600 metres race at Chapelizod finishing at Dublin University Boat House, Islandbridge; ♦ Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge at the 3Arena; ¶ Rory O'Moore Bridge (Watling Street) to Custom House Quay under Rosie Hackett Bridge for first time

References

  1. ^ a b c d Smyth, Cyril (2012)The Liffey Swim: The First Thirty Years 1920—1949 http://leinsteropensea.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/The-Liffey-Swim-1920-1949-The-First-Thirty-Years-Final-Version-Revised-1-October-2012.pdf
  2. ^ "'Dublin City Liffey Swim'". Dublin Tourism. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ LINDIE NAUGHTON (2008-04-09). "'Minorities: Women are out in force for Liffey'". Evening Herald. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "'Open Sea Programme 2012'". Leinster Swimming. Retrieved 2012-08-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "'A Brief History of the Liffey Swim'". Askaboutireland.ie. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "'Dublin Liffey Swim 2009'". Swim Ireland. 2009-09-11. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link]
  7. ^ "'Revellers soak it all up in the heat of the moment'". Irish Independent. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "'Address by John O'Donoghue TD Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism at the Opening of Olympic House'". Dept.for Arts, Sport and Tourism. 2005-01-18. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "'National Gallery of Ireland'". Fodor's Travel Guides 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ John Corry (2002-04-10). "'Lunacy floods the Liffey slime'". Japan Times. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Deborah Condon (2001-07-11). "Liffey swim ban after Weil's disease discovered'". Irishhealth.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "'250 people take part in annual Liffey swim'". RTÉ. 1999-08-09. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "'Tolka pollution causes concern'". Dublin People. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Swimming: L Maher wins Liffey Swim - "Other finishers", Irish Independent, 12 July 1932, page 12
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