Brilliant bench & Ab-Fab Awning

Posted on December 20, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

The hard work of Tom Bermingham and Pat Higgins – along with Jimmy Long’s generosity in providing permission for the new awning and bench in Myrtleville – were marked today with a grand opening, Myrtleville-style!

Open water, sea swimming in Cork, Ireland.

Men at Work – hard labour for Tom and Pat: but always with a smile on their faces.

The Long family own the boathouse and Jimmy Long very kindly gave permission for the structure. He was on hand to cut the ribbon, aided by elves!

When you only meet people in the water it’s hard to judge their talents in other areas, but we certainly have some talented musicians in our midst, who entertained us all this morning. Maybe the band really should be reforming!!

Jimmy Long and Tom Bermingham gave great short speeches on what swimming in Myrtleville means to them and timely reminders about always swimming safely, no matter how experienced you are. Jimmy was presented with a “thank-you” Christmas hamper for his generosity, including this cake for himself and his wife, Noreen.

There were others who helped out with the project as well, including Gary Frost providing his own sail for the covering!

It was a really enjoyable event this morning and a great start to the Christmas break. Very well done to everyone involved.

Sunday, December 20 @ 10am

Posted on December 17, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Tom Bermingham and Pat Higgins have been swimming daily in Myrtleville for many years – rain, hail or shine (mostly rain and hail!). Many of you will know them and have enjoyed Tom’s encouragement that the sea is “like a bath” (even in February!).

As efforts to get planning permission for a changing shelter have been dragged out, Tom and Pat have made a huge effort into installing a bench and awning to offer protection for swimmers changing. To mark this, we’re going to have an unveiling on Sunday morning next at 10am.

Local resident and longest serving Myrtleville swimmer, Jimmy Long, will be there for the launch and it’s important that as many of us as possible attend. Whether you have time to swim or not, come down on Sunday at 10am and mark the event. We will all be very glad of the shelter in the months ahead.

Jimmy Long in 2014 – bestowing his blessing for another year on the beach!

Tom and Pat – in the sea every day and it’s always warm (they say)!

See you all on Sunday at 10am: Bí ann, gan teip 🙂

B&W album covers

Posted on December 14, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Siobhan Russell’s latest batch of photos are B&W. She needed to have some atmosphericy type carry-on for the photo-shoot for the lads in the band making their comeback. I personally think they’ve aged well and the shorter hair suits them. I also think taking the pic on the beach rather than up by the boathouse like they did in ’76 was inspired. Nice one, Siobhan.

Good luck with the new album, lads. Here’s a sneak preview of the new album cover and the ’76 one…

Some debate also last week about the comments regarding Eoin Lowry’s potentially drugged status on this site. Look, the facts are there for anyone to see –

There’s something going on with that fella. He hasn’t been seen around for a while either. We’ll have to await developments on that Myrtle and Patso story.

The new bench looks great, although some people hog the whole thing for themselves. Typical.

Myrtle news etc

Posted on December 8, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Lots going on with dozens of people having realised that the OW season runs from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. Swimmers in every day, morning and afternoon.

The Myrtle Turtles appear to have resolved all issues and recent press releases emphasise the sweetness and light surrounding the team, as they toil away in chlorine and occasional saline.

There have been suggestions that the latest PR photo of Eoin Lowry back in the Myrtle fold might suggest he has been drugged, but Manager Mulcahy was quick to rubbish this suggestion. All is going to plan, says Maeve. What could possibly go wrong?

Anne, Ros and Myrtle keep a close hold on Eoin.

Elsewhere, The Hat returned to the USA for a bit of cold water swimming at 5c with Barry Madden in Chicago.

Barry Madden and The Hat after a swim in Lake Michigan.

Finally, Happy 70th to the legendary Mike Harris 🙂

A nice bunch of Myrtleville and Sandycove Swimmers helping Mike to celebrate his 70th at the Turkey Swim last weekend.

Extract from the Gospel according to Donal

Posted on December 1, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

It’s rare indeed that anything on this site can hold a candle to the weighty, erudite pronouncements of the Bible of Open Water Swimmers – Loneswimmer.com. Today, however, we are of one mind, on the one page – twins, like.

Today’s Loneswimmering pronouncements from the mountaintops (or sea-caves, or somewhere biblical) concern the Surf Fur Parka and their Rebelish status .

Brother Donal of the Sea declaims that those who wear the Parka are blessed amongst swimmers and eons beyond the Bronze Age neanderthals in their Speedos and non-Parkas.

And behold, there came onto the beach at Myrtleville disciples of both creeds – which cult would you rather join on the 1st of December?

Brother Damo and Bronze Age Bernie – how cool is that Surf Fur? How cold is that guy in the Speedos?

Cregan-Condon fraud – AGAIN!

Posted on November 20, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Are there no depths to which the man won’t sink? Last weekend, supposedly reformed master-criminal, Denis Cregan-Condon, was making himself out to be the best friend to all mankind, distributing “his” delicious mince pies to sundry, unsuspecting Myrtlevillians and others attending the Turkey Swim.

Beautiful mince pies – but look at him – would you trust this man?

Our intrepid reporters can now reveal that far from baking these delicious treats himself, Cregan-Condon received the pies from Myrtleville stalwart, Tom Bermingham and then “forgot” to mention this: while basking in the glory of being “THE mince pie man”. SHAME ON YOU DENIS, SHAME!!

Our reporter visited the famed Bermingham bakery where further delicious pies were being made. The rolling pin is ready for Mr. Cregan-Condon if he dares to show his face.

Master bakers, Kathy & Kathleen Bermingham – ready to help Denis see stars.

Denis leaves a trail of infamy behind him. Watch out for him this weekend and don’t be fooled. Mrs Bermingham wants her Roses tin back too, Denis.

Myrtleville Vampire Swim – d’Video

Posted on November 10, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Fantastic work from Denis Condon recording the 31 October swim, with technical support from Ms. Sheehy, as ever!

Peaceful Patso Protest attacked by Myrtle Maniac

Posted on November 9, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

In a worrying escalation of the Patso vs. Myrtle campaign, Patso supporters were attacked at the weekend, while lawfully expressing their support for “The Furry One”.

Two campaigners – identified locally as “Marie de nurse” and “yer man, Kieran”, were handing out copies of the Patso Manifesto on Saturday morning, to the huge crowds of regular Myrtleville swimmers.

According to eye-witnesses, what happened next was shocking. The Patso supporters were subjected to a violent attack by at least one highly-vocal Myrtle-ite. “She came at them outta nowhere – screaming like a banshee she was, like a banshee!” The attacker was swiftly removed from the scene, but a passing photographer (she passes that place a lot) caught the event on camera and charges may be pending.

Image redacted to protect Anne Sheehy’s identity.

The attacker is a known associate of the Cregan-Condon crime family and locals now fear an escalation in the campaign from both sides. We will monitor and report developments exclusively here.

Turtle Trouble!

Posted on November 6, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Led by the PR-savvy swimming-guru, Maeve Mulcahy, all announcements thus far from the Myrtle Turtles Channel Relay Team have been positive, reflecting sweetness and light. Unfortunately, our correspondents have discovered that cracks are appearing in the team, even at this early stage. The trouble stems from the choice of mascot, we are informed.

The first meeting initially went well, with standard press-release photos being taken and smiles all round.

The Myrtle Turtles – live and unplugged (and possibly unhinged…)

The problems began when the mascot, Myrtle, was unveiled. Here’s Myrtle, for those who haven’t met her.

Myrtle – controversial mascot of the Myrtle Turtles.

While all of the ladies on the team were happy with the choice, strenuous objections were raised by the lone “gentleman”, Eoin Lowry. Eoin insisted that his teddy, Patso, was a far more suitable choice as mascot. (Patso is named after Eoin’s brother, Pat and Eoin briefly renamed him Fatso when Pat wasn’t doing much training last year. However, Pat has gone back to work for his next Ironman, so it’s Patso again.) Here’s Eoin with Patso.

Maeve tried repeatedly to explain the choice of a turtle called Myrtle as a mascot for a team called the Myrtle Turtles, but Eoin was having none of it.

At first, the other team members thought Eoin was joking, but reality dawned slowly.

A vote was taken, but Eoin and Patso were disappointed with the outcome, leaving the incumbent, Myrtle, in place as mascot. Like John Perry in Sligo, Eoin has now spat the dummy and is demanding an open vote on the beach of all Turtle supporters. Failing this, he says he’s recruiting his own team, willing to accept Patso as their rightful mascot.

You know, I’d have to say, while this blow-up may be a surprise to Maeve, Anne, Ros, Eilish and Caitriona, there were signs – if they’d looked for them – that having Eoin on any team could involve some unpredictable moments.

Eoin – just chillin’.

We await further developments in what could be a long-running saga. Watch this space for exclusive updates. Nobody knows, before we know….

Pictures courtesy of Siobhan Russell and Anne Sheehy. Additional “reporting”, Kieran Murphy.

Global Hat tours continue

Posted on November 4, 2015 by myrtlevilleswimmers

Like rust, the Hat never sleeps – crisscrossing the globe, as befits an international icon. Recent location shoots included Vietnam – with Cathriona Greally on Hoi An beach.

Enjoying some quiet time on Ha Long Bay.

Seeking out water as warm as we find in Myrtleville – with Noreen Desmond in Iceland.

Lifestyles of the rich and famous – that’s life with the Hat (fame on this site, at least).

Myrtleville Swimmers

Open Water – Sea Swimming in Cork, Ireland

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