Swimming across Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland has enjoyed a long history, but its current iteration begins with the love and care of a mother and a legacy that has been carried on by her surviving family.
Since Mercedes Gleitze first swam 20.8 km from Sandhead, Inishmann to Awleen Bay, Spiddal in 18 hours 40 minutes in 1931, many others have challenged themselves to distances from 10 km to David Morgan‘s 41.2 km swim from Kilronan, Inishmore, Aran Islands to Salthill, Galway in 1988.
The most recent event – the Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim – saw its origins from a tandem swim by Kevin Thornton and Ronan Collins in 2006. His mother, Frances Thornton [shown above] suggested their swim could raise money for Cancer Care West.
The two mothers of the young men – Frances and Judy loved sea swimming – organized like passionate mothers can. Before, during, and after the successful swim on July 30th, the mothers were busy – and momentum was started for a repeat in 2007 when 8 more swimmers joined the Kevin and Ronan. €3,000 raised in year one, €16,000 raised in year two, and over €1.2 million has been raised to date, enabling the launch several new services from Galway to Donegal.
David O’Donnell of Cancer Care West said, “We are hugely grateful for the support and interest showed by all the swimmers in the work we do here at Cancer Care West.”
Sadly, Frances passed away on April 21st 2008, but her passion and unselfishness continues. The 13 km swim was renamed after her that has led to over 1,000 swimmers completing the swim. The family has carried on her legacy, including Kevin and Frances’s two daughters, Fiona and Claire. Fiona is a key member of the volunteer committee and is following in her mother’s footsteps, whilst Claire became the youngest swimmer to make the crossing at age 16. The three children, along with their father, Brian Thornton [shown above on right] are the driving forces behind the fundraising for Cancer Care West.
That funds help support the patients and families that suffer through cancer in the west of Ireland.
2024 Event
The 2024 Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim from Aughinish in Co. Clare to Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill was a tough one.
Not only was it very windy (Force 4-5) and very wavy for the 43 soloists and 81 relay team swimmers, but the wind direction and waves were directly heading in the opposite of the swimmers for the 13 km cross-bay swim in Ireland.
Solo Tog Results in 2024
- Ailbhe Mulhall 4:03
- Garrett Johnston 4:16
- Sinead O’Donnell 4:48
- Avril Caulfield 4:54
- Keith Kroeger 5:00
- Aiden O’Herlihy 5:11
- Brendan Creedon 5:15
- John Cunningham 5:25
- Laoise McNamara 5:25
- Noel Leahy 5:56
- Mike Flannelly 5:57
- Joe Kennelly 5:57
- Diarmuid McMahon 6:25
- Aaron Glynn 6:31
- Deborah Coffey 6:32
- Darragh Foley 6:37
- Peter Cunningham 6:38
- Ester NiChonghaile 7:01
- Ray Mullooly 7:48
Solo Wetsuit Results in 2024
- Alan Corby 3:46
- Alex Timon 4:08
- Stuart Nicol 4:26
- Geno Quinlan 4:30
- Rory Knight 4:43
- Susan Carroll 4:59
- Felim MacEoin 5:04
- Paco Sanchez 5:04
- Elaine Carey 5:06
- Elaine Carey 5:06
- Jane Francis 5:10
- Mike Marron 5:10
- Niamh Gethin 5:16
- Tom Barry 5:22
- Juan Perez Esteba 5:24
- Niall Concanno 5:28
- Darren Coyle 5:30
- Kate Varley 5:35
- David Smyth 5:39
- Paraic Raftery 6:09
- Ray Foley 6:35
- Dara Blake 6:53
- Kate Collins Smyth 6:53
- Riona MacEoin 7:05
- Colm Carthy 7:52
For more information, visit www.galwaybayswim.com.
© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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