71-year-old Derek Wilkes wins his 2nd Liffey title, 36 years after winning his first
A massing field in the 105th Liffey Swim has the familiar green of the Grattan Bridge in its sights. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Sun Sept 14 2025 - 10:50
Derek Wilkes before Saturday's 105th annual Dublin Liffey Swim with the medal he received when winning the 1989 race. His day got much better as he went on to win once again. It was the 55th time he took part in the race. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times.
The race gets under way across the road from another Dublin institution - the Guinness brewery. Photograph: Alan Betson
Swimmers descend the steps from the quays to the pontoon start. A handicap race, the participants start according to ability, with the fastest swimmers only entering the water 15 minutes after the first swimmers start. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Swimmers under Rory O'Moore Bridge, the first of 11 bridges swimmers go under before finishing at the Customs House. Photograph: Alan Betson
A massing field has the familiar green of the Grattan Bridge in its sights. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Spectators watch the race from the Millennium and Ha'penny bridges. Photograph: Alan Betson
Twelve-year-old twins Bruce and Lex Hardy, the youngest swimmers participating in 105th Dublin Liffey Swim. Photograph: Alan Betson
Under the Ha'penny bridge, the swimmers now have O'Connell Bridge in their sights. Photograph: Alan Betson
Derek Wilkes, with a swan for company, has victory in his sights. Photograph: Alan Betson
Derek Wilkes approaches the finish line at Customs House Quay. Photograph: Alan Betson
The main pack approaches the finish. Photograph: Alan Betson
Wilkes celebrates his second Liffey success, 36 years after winning his first. Photograph: Alan Betson
Derek Wilkes with the trophy. Photograph: Bryan Keane
