Swimmer completes Offaly leg of major charity Shannon challenge

Cork native Ger Moore is currently taking on the challenge of swimming the length of the Shannon to raise funds for Jigsaw and Pieta House.

Ger has been living in Roxboro, Co. Roscommon, for the past 15 years and is a member of the Lough Ree Orcas, an open water swimming group in Lanesboro. He is aiming to be the first person to ever swim the Shannon without the aid of a wetsuit.

Ger started the swim on Sunday and on Monday last, he swam from Clonmacnoise to Banagher, a distance of 22km, which is the longest stretch on the swim, before making his way to Portumna on Tuesday.

For the remainder of Ger's impressive swim this week, he travelled from Portumna to Williamstown Harbour on the Tipperary/Clare border before swimming to Killaloe, Co. Clare, then to Cloonlara in Clare before planning to complete the long swim in Limerick city.

As part of the journey, Ger recently swam to Athlone from Lanesboro, a gruelling 12hr and 40 minute journey. Ger made it to Athlone, under very challenging conditions, and then swam to Clonmacnoise. He hopes to make it to King John's Castle in Limerick City on Saturday, July 1 which is a swim distance of approximately 250km in total.

Ahead of the swim, Ger said: “I do not take this challenge on lightly and have been training hard in preparation for this swim over the past year with friends from Lanesboro Triathlon Club, Comans Masters SC and in the open water with the Lough Ree Orcas swim group.

He added: “I believe this will be the first attempt at swimming the length of the river Shannon without the aid of a wetsuit.”

“I have chosen these charities as I feel there is not a house in Ireland that hasn't been affected by someone dealing with mental health issues and/or suicide.”

The fundraiser has raised €6,225 to date and will stay open for donations until Thursday, August 31.

To donate to the fundraiser visit iDonate.ie here