The 87th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim Race
The 87th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race takes place on Sunday 13 August with over 300 swimmers taking to the waters of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. As this year also marks the Bicentenary of Dún Laoghaire Harbour the race will be a special occasion both for sea swimmers, spectators and the citizens of Dún Laoghaire.
Each weekend from June to September Leinster Open Sea in partnership with the swimming clubs of Leinster run two Open Sea Races along the coast of Dublin and Wicklow. The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race along with the Jones Engineering 98th Dublin City Liffey Swim are the top two “blue ribbon” races on the Open Sea Calendar in Ireland.
Sarah Keane CEO of Swim Ireland who will be competing in this year’s race said “Swim Ireland is delighted to be involved in this year’s Leinster Open Sea’s Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race. The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race has gone from strength to strength and is one of the most prestigious open sea races in Ireland. I look forward to swimming the race myself with swimmers of all ages from 14 up competing. This is set to be the best one yet!”
Gerry Dunne CEO of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company “We welcome the 2017 Harbour Swim on this important Bicentenary year. As we celebrate the bicentenary we are delighted to support this event which has been a significant part of harbour history for the last 87 years”
Conor Kearney of sponsors CJK Engineering said “CJK Engineering have been involved with the Leinster Open Sea for a number of years and are delighted to be now associated with one of the two Major Races on the calendar. It is great to see a sport that caters for such a wide variety of competitors both in age and ability. I wish this year’s swimmers and spectators the very best of luck, especially those who have travelled from overseas and I hope they all enjoy being “OUT FOR THE DAY”.
Swimmers in the Men’s and Ladies’ race compete for the coveted Dún Laoghaire Harbour Cups.
As Brian Nolan a former Harbour Cup winner and winner of fastest time said “this is the All Ireland Final for sea swimmers”. Many former Irish Olympians have competed in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race including Donnacha O’Dea, Kevin Williamson, David Cummins and Brenda McGrory.
The Race starts from the RNLI slipway at the East Pier. Swimmers swim past the National Yacht Club and then they swim out along the Carlisle Pier towards the mouth of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The swimmers then turn at the East Pier Lighthouse and swim towards the Anemometer, the Boyd memorial, the Band Stand, and finally Berth No.1. The swimmers eventually approach the finish line at the RNLI slipway. This provides for a fantastic spectacle of swimmers racing in close to the Harbour wall which facilitates considerable interaction between the cheering crowd and the swimmers. Included with the race is an overseas section with swimmers travelling from the USA, New Zealand and Dubai travelling to take part in this race. The race course is approximately 2,200 metres.
At this year’s race, Leinster Open Sea hopes to raise awareness of the work done by the charity Cycle against Suicide which is a signposting organisation for people who may be experiencing mental health issues themselves or within their families or communities.
On Sunday 13th the day of the race there will be a:
- Children’s race 1.00pm;
- Men’s race 2.00pm;
- Ladies’ race 3.00pm; and
- Presentation of the Harbour Cups 4.30pm.
Subject to weather and sea conditions we may be able to offer members of the press places in a press boat on the day of the race. Please email [email protected] if you are interested to pre book a place.
For further information on the 87th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race
- email [email protected]
- phone 087 662 4375
