Galwayman for fundraising swim of Killary fjord

A Galwayman aims to swim the entire length of Ireland’s only fjord to raise funds for a Connemara community ambulance service.

Matthew O’Flaherty (34), an electrician based in north Galway, has been training for the 13km swim along Killary fjord from Rossroe pier to Leenane.

He plans to undertake the feat this Saturday.

In doing so, he hopes to raise funds for the Irish Red Cross ambulance, which serves a large rural area between Leenane and Maam.

O’Flaherty is currently training off Salthill in Galway Bay, completing swims of 4km to 5kim twice a week, with shorter swims in between.

Temperatures in the fjord will be several degrees colder than at Salthill, as the sea waterway is fed by mountain streams, he says. He has swum its length twice before, but this is his first fundraising effort, and he expects to be at least three and a half hours in the water.

He has invited supporters to run or walk the length of the fjord - a distance of 15km - while he is in the water. Departure will be at 1pm from Rossroe pier on Saturday, and there will be transport back and some refreshments, he says.

For further details and support, he can be contacted by email at matthewoflaherty@hotmail.com