Have a look at May 7th on this European tour. The Pine Lodge. Like loud, fast Blues? Sure, where else would you be?
Oh, and it’s free. Hold on to your ears…
Spare a thought in this great weather (other than the morning fog) for the seemingly large number of our fellow swimmers suffering from head colds and chest infections. The current species of virus goes on for a couple of weeks and laughs in the face of all antibiotics and other remedies…….until now!
With the shower market cornered, Harcon Plc are expanding their product range and have proudly announced the all-new “One night cough syrup”.
Only available direct from Harcon’s mobile delivery vehicle (parked at the top of Myrtleville slip at 10.30am most days), it’s the solution to what ails you. Not currently available in pharmacies, but discussions with Ed the Chemist are planned.
Never miss another swim! Just one dose and you too can look this good the next day.
Great to see our national reputation as a centre of pharmacological excellence being enhanced further.
The inaugural year for Bunny Swims seemed to catch the attention of the easily-distracted group in Myrtleville. Not too sure about further West, though.
As with all events, there were sub-plots and by-lines all over the weekend. There was Claire Canning getting back into the water on Sunday….

OK, you made me go in here, but there is NO WAY I’m putting my head in or swimming. So there. Claire Ní Channain folds her arms and puts her foot down. But not her face.
Claire was generous enough to loan her dressing gown to an elderly kayaker after the swim, though. She thought he looked cold, but I’d say the red flushes were more being hot and bothered by the bunnies really…
Poor old Tom and Pat came down for their daily swim – to be accosted by bunnies. They don’t seem to have minded, though.
So, having added an extra swim on Sunday morning, it was on to Sandycove for the evening. I wasn’t there, but you’d have to say the pictures seem to show a level of bemusement as the Myrtlevillian hordes descended for their fourth Bunny Swim of the weekend.
On the other side of the road…

What in the name of God is going on here, Tadhg? Why is there a plague of rabbits over there? Don’t they know this is the world famous, serious Sandycove Island?

Look, I’m sorry – says Angela – it all seemed like a good idea until that Myrtleville crowd got involved.
And so we had two – very separate – groups.

……and the other lot. With Mike Harris in his element and Angela getting dragged into it – like it or not!
It really was a long weekend. By Monday, it was just too much for some young people and a nap was needed.
After the night with Eilis, there was some discussion about organising another evening event. “Nutrition for swimmers” was the topic being suggested. At first I thought it would be a very good idea. Then I considered the group of swimmers we have in Myrtleville. To be fair, if it’s one thing they’re experts on – it’s their own nutrition.
There’s no way they’ll miss out on the key 45 minute post-swim window to replenish the food supply to the muscles. They’d hardly miss 45 seconds.

Pat Lowry ensuring that the ‘golden window’ for post-swim nutrition isn’t missed. Feed ’em on the beach, says Pat.
If anyone is feeling a weakness on the way home after all the sausages and cake, just have some Smash pre-made and ready for when you come in the door. That’ll fill you up.
A reminder that the Bunny Swims are going ahead next weekend:
Remember, if this is your first weekend back, be smart, don’t stay in too long, swim with someone for company, and wrap up warm afterwards. This weekend schedule is all about starting to reacclimatise and the social catch-up!
| EASTER WEEKEND | LOCATION | BUNNY TIME | Other Swim Times |
| FRI 3RD APR | MYRTLEVILLE | 07:00 | SC – 16:30 |
| SAT 4TH APR | MYRTLEVILLE | 08:15 | SC – 17:00 |
| SUN 5TH APR | SANDYCOVE | 17:30 | MV – 12:00 |
| MON 6TH APR | SANDYCOVE | 18:00 | MV – 18:00 |
As an added bonus for the weekend, we’re having a Bunny Ears competition. Whoever has the best ears will get Finbarr Hedderman’s medals for his North Channel Swim, which Siobhan Russell is sick of dusting.
Anne Sheehy has got her entry in early.
It’s a good attempt, Anne, but not a great attempt. I’m sure there will be lots of others trying to beat this and win Finbarr’s medals.
By the way, while we’re talking about Anne, what – I wonder – was she saying to Gary here? Maybe: “I thought that didn’t happen until after you went into cold water?” or, “Not even a HARCON shower’s going to help you there, Gary.”
Swim Safe this weekend and always 🙂
A good crowd last night considering the near gale – but it was Westerly so we had lots of shelter. A few people discovered it’s a bit harder to swim back into the gale than out with it, though 🙂
Water around 9c so it’s definitely got a bit warmer. Bunny Swims this weekend – 07.00 on Good Friday and 08.15 on Saturday, as usual.

Some of the first Monday night group. Lots of black and some pink (but not Carmen – she’s in Violet).
They’re back! With the sea temperature around 9℃ and the forecast for a bit of WSW wind, tonight at 6.00pm is the first Myrtleville Monday evening swim of 2015. Last year we had nights where between 5.00pm and 7.30pm over 200 swimmers took to the water.
Sea swimming is fantastic, but let’s just have a quick reminder that safe swimming is what it is all about. Never take a chance in the sea.
Each individual swimmer is responsible for their own safety.
We all swim at our own risk.
Monday nights have become so popular because they give an opportunity to swim with others. That’s great, but don’t make the mistake of swimming too far from the beach just to stay with a group. Even in a group don’t go too far out to sea – stay inside (well inside) the line between the Dutchman Rocks and Bunnyconnellan. You don’t ever need to be more than 100m out from the coast – and less is better.
Plan your swim. Go only as far as you can comfortably go, while remembering always that you have to get back to where you started. There’s no point swimming 750m to the Dutchman and then struggling back, or needing help. That’s not only pointless, but dangerous. Why not swim 50m or 100m from the beach, then swim back? If you feel good, do it again – as often as you want to and in complete safety.
There are always swimmers looking to do shorter distances – just speak up: ask what people are doing, see if it suits you and only do what you can accomplish safely. Over time, you can build up to longer distances, if that is what you want to do. Be Safe – Always.
Now’s a good time to read for the first time or remind yourself of some very good advice on safe swimming in Myrtleville.
Congratulations once again to the fabulous film-making team of Condon and Sheehy. The Eclipse video is excellent.
Anne does a great job of taking the raw materials from Denis and producing smooth, slick videos. Of course, it’s not always that straightforward in the creative process. There may be the odd bump in the path when people don’t do what’s wanted when the director wants it done. Director Denis is not always happy – especially when he has to count the actors in again.
In this next one – something’s happening or at least Denis tells us it is. Just don’t follow Pat – Denis won’t like that. Oh, speaking of Pat….we can hear what you were saying to our Siobhan on this video, Mr. Lowry. She can sing if she wants to sing and don’t you be a bully boy telling her to sing So Low. You leave our Siobhan alone – you brat. Voice of an angel, she has, an angel 😉
Great work Anne – nobody need ever know how much you had to cover up with Bonnie’s singing.
Thanks to Finbarr Hedderman, the first draft of the 2015 Open Water Swim calendar is now available here.
The highlight, of course, is the RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay swim on July 4 😊 but there are lots of other great events to plan for.