Brave swimmers have a lark in the Lee
The traditional swim in the River Lee in Cork made a comeback today thanks to the newly improved water quality.
The annual swim began in Cork City in 1914 but had to be moved out to the harbour in the 1950s due to the quantity of effluent being pumped into the water. It was last held in 1987.
More than 100 people took part in the swim today, which has been revived as part of the events to mark Cork’s hosting of the European City of Culture.
The two kilometre swim is not for the faint-hearted and those who have paid the €15 entry fee had to sign a disclaimer for insurance reasons.
Fine Gael Councillor Colm Burke said the Inniscarra Dam, which is located on the outskirts of Cork city, had been opened to ensure there was a sufficient volume of water in the river for the swim.
The organisers are planning to run the swim as an annual event.
