Skerries Cycling and Walking Tours

21/09/2024

Dermot’s struggle with suicidal thoughts led him, now that he is in a much better place, to fundraise for Pieta. Because he knows how important it is to help other people facing su***de ideation and self-harm, and families grief-stricken by su***de. People can donate to Pieta on Dermot’s page here or by googling floflodermo :

Hi. I'm Dermot Higgins, a.k.a. Flo Flo Dermo. I’m attempting to become the oldest and fastest person to swim the Shannon, Ireland's longest river. The speed record stands at 14 days and the oldest person was 56. I plan to begin my attempt on 12 September in the village of Dowra, Co Cavan and finis...

14/09/2024

It was a baptism of fire for Second Mate Pat Brennan. at the helm of Caprice later this afternoon.
The gusty southerly winds continued all afternoon and it was difficult to steer when motoring at my very pedestrian pace.
I was able to plough in strongly through the channels at almost 3k per hour but reall struggled on Lakes Boderg and Forbes. It was especially difficult approaching Rooskey with lots of boat traffic coming and going acerbating the problems. At one point Kelly Armstrong was certain that I was swimming backwards!
However we limped into Roosky, just making the 6.30 lock closing time by the skin of our teeth!
Pat needed a beer after his exertions so Kelly and I chatted, cookoand waited for the arrival of the Master and Commander, Cpt. Mason.
We enjoyed dinner and had a wonderful evening of engaging debate pickled with much banter and laughter…
Tomorrow we haul anchor and continue south to Tarmonbarry for lunch.
We are so much looking forward to joining Ger Moore and the Lanesborough Orcas Swim Club tomorrow evening. We expect to reach that lovely town at about 6.30pm..

Many thanks to everyone who had donated to the Pieta. Ending Su***de. Beginning Hope fund. At last we’ve reached the €3000 mark.
Keep the donations coming!

https://www.idonate.ie/event/floflodermo

Check out a tiny snippet of Kelly’s beautiful video…

iDonate.ie Online charity Event Fundraising Flo Flo Dermo The Shannon Source to Sea challenge for Pieta

14/09/2024

Floflodermo Shannon Swim launch at Drumshanbo yesterday evening.
What a delight it was for me to be surrounded by family, friends eminent politicians, Pieta representatives and happy campers who just happened to be in the area.

We were delighted also to have John Bierne I have Emerald Star and Sean Wynne of Lough Allen adventure centre in attendance..

Hopefully the publicity garnered from the launch will assist in filling the Pieta. Ending Su***de. Beginning Hope coffers.
We still haven’t reached the magic €3000 mark.

https://www.idonate.ie/event/floflodermo

All donations are greatly appreciated!

26/08/2024

Announcing The Lambay Swim 2024
So it looks finally as though the stars are aligned favourably and a decent weather window has opened for me on Wednesday this week, when I’ve also got a day off work. This allows me to take on, what will probably be be my only Irish Long Distance Swim Association Challenge before I head to the Shannon.

I’ll be starting from the Springers in Skerries at 8:30 am and hope to finish in the harbour at Lambay before 12.30.

The total distance is just over 12 K.

I’m so fortunate to be supported by the legendary swimmer and all-round good guy, Pat Brown who is the official ILSDA Observer and who will also be driving the support boat.

Another Skerries swimming legend and old friend, Tony Murphy will be joining me as a support swimmer for a section of the swim.

Watch this space on Wednesday for a full report and lots of photos…

05/08/2024

Wonderful 4k swim today with Lanesborough Tri Club. I made the long journey to the midlands as I think I’ve done enough swimming races in Killiney and I needed a change of scenery.

It was great also to make new friends. Everyone I met today in Lanesborough, both swimmers, support kayakers, jet-skiers and boatmen as well as the great team of organisers were extremely friendly and hospitable.

Ger Moore of Lanesborough Tri Club and Lough Ree Orcas who was the chief race marshal gave me a full hour of his time after the swim. Ger because the first person to swim the Shannon in skins last year.

It was great also to bump into former triathlete Colm Daly. We were members of the pioneering Hoke in the Wall Tri Club way back in the 90s…

Today I swam the 4k course in a little over 1 hour 15 mins, which indicates a slight increase in speed, even taking into account the slight flow on the river.
I’m really looking forward to meeting all these wonderful people again when I’m swimming through Lanesborough on September 14/15 on the Floflodermo Challenge 2024.
I’ll be back!!