“Down to earth” Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar got down and dirty in Monaghan at the weekend at the fourth annual Irish Bog Snorkelling Competition.
More than 100 competitors from all over Ireland and from Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Africa took part in the event at Doohamlet, Castleblayney.
There are just two rules for those taking part: they must wear a snorkel at all times and cannot use their arms for conventional swimming strokes.
Proceeds of the event will go to helping organiser Declan Connolly’s four-year-old nephew Cian Connolly, who has cancer.
Mr Varadkar, who is well-used to mudslinging, donned a wetsuit and snorkel and dived into the bog. He finished the 120m race in an impressive time of two minutes and 46 seconds.
“This is my first time bog snorkelling but it was very enjoyable, the water was nice and warm and it’s not that hard,” he said. “I came down because we want to encourage innovation in tourism and this is a unique event.”