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A swimmer from Donegal who aspires to become the first to circumnavigate Ireland has paid tribute to the support of the local population upon his arrival in Co Down.
Henry O’Donnell (56) started his marathon swim at Carrickfin Beach in Co Donegal last month with the help of fins and a wetsuit after four years of training.
The father of six is raising money for charities like the Irish Cancer Society and Water Safety Ireland during his epic challenge.
O’Donnell said he has been swimming between three and 10 miles a day, depending on conditions.
It has conquered some challenging stretches of water such as Tory Island, Malin Head, and the Rathlin Sound where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Irish Sea.
“Every day when I go swimming, I try to swim as far as I can … they are different distances every day,” he said.
“I have a tracking system and the public can track it online.”
It will now continue south and hopes to reach the waters around Dublin in about three weeks, with the goal of completing the swim in a year.
O’Donnell said local people have greeted him warmly from the cold waters along his route.
“The reception has been incredible and everyone’s support,” he said.
He added: “These are two very important charities for the island of Ireland because people benefit from both.
“Two very valuable causes.”
O’Donnell came to the North Down shore shortly after the death of swimmer Mary Feeney, an artist from her native Donegal.
He joined a memorial vigil in Bangor.
“I dedicated the swim the day before yesterday to Mary Feeney, we will remember her,” he said.
Marie-Therese Davis Hanson and her husband Stephen were among the Brompton Belles and Beaux swim group who welcomed Mr. O’Donnell at Bangor Marina.
They presented him with a woolen club cap, declaring him an honorary suitor.
“We heard about Henry’s challenge and thought it was a fantastic cause, so we thought we would come to welcome him and share some of our knowledge, and help him in any way we can in his swimming,” said Ms. Davis-Hanson .
O’Donnell is no stranger to challenges, having become the first Irishman to swim the 14km around Tory Island and then completed the 38km of the Donegal Coastal Challenge Swim in 1997. – PA
You can track your progress on the challenge website http://finswim2020.com/
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