At 11:30am on Wednesday August 11th Fergal Somerville kissed his wife Margaret and dived off the pier at Inis Meáin. The final component of the 2010 Aran Lifeboat Challenge had started in conditions that were far from ideal.
Undeterred, Fergal Somerville and accompanying crew of Tarlach de Blácam, Michil Faherty and Michael Gartland decided this was the best opportunity available. When the swim startedone hour before low tide in strong northwesterly winds the water was very choppy for the first 40 minutes. Fergal swam determinedly against the tide. Michael Gartland, a friend of Fergal’s since school, monitored progress and provided hourly feeds.
Michael says: “I was amazed at the pace in the conditions, which were not good for swimming, but Fergal was determined to complete the swim. Tarlach says: “We in Inis Meáin will do anything to support the lifeboat; it is essential for us. The 2010 Aran Lifeboat Challenge was undoubtedly a huge undertaking and Michil and myself were happy to be part of it”.
The swim took six hours, 30 minutes. Exhausted, Fergal arrived at Baile na hAbainn slipway at the stroke of 6pm to be greeted by locals and a TG4 news crew. Seamus O’Flaitheartha (Inismór Lifeboat Operations Manager ) says, “The sea was rough, the wind persistent and the rain was coming down in buckets. All credit to everyone involved. The challenge is unique and the money raised will make a big contribution to the extraordinary work done by the Inismór lifeboat.”
Fergal was delighted to have done the swim. “I have to thank Tarlach, Michil and Michael. Without them this would not have happened.” I trained very hard for this over the past year and was devastated when it was cancelled on 31 July. So, too, were my colleagues John Daly and John Kenny who were to swim with me on that date.”
There was terrific support from companies and individuals for the event. Many gave donations directly. Some supplied prizes for a raffle to be held on the night. All the local ferry companies and Aer Arann provided round trips to the islands, PortWest in Mayo donated some of their finest apparel. Galway Crystal, Supermac’s, SuperValu in Barna, Eric Byrne and Rob d’Eath (famed artists in Spiddal Craft Centre ) all provided spot prizes.
So far more than €4,500 has been raised for the 2010 Aran Lifeboat Challenge. If you wish to give please visit: www.mycharity.ie/event/2010_aran_lifeboat_swim
