Over €100k raised for Pieta from Jim O'Connor Memorial Castle to Castle Swim

Over €100,000 has been raised for Pieta on foot of the third annual Castle to Castle Swim in memory of the late Jim O’Connor.

Swimmers in the event on Saturday, August 23, together with their families, friends and supporters raised a whopping €93,749, whilst a “13 Day August Challenge” virtual swim, organised by Pieta and the local committee raised an additional €13,000.

With the fundraising target smashed, more swimmers participating, a bigger than ever team of volunteers and massive support at the finish line in front of Athlone Castle, the atmosphere throughout the whole day was electric.

This year in an effort to enhance the event experience for all involved, the organisers had secured a larger space to host the swimmers, volunteers and supporters. This area stretched out from the waterfront up to and including the carpark area near Sean’s Bar, allowing greater involvement for local people and business and more spectator space at the river side.

From 12.30pm when supporters started to arrive, there was a real festival feel to the area. Throughout the afternoon huge crowds continued to gather and cheer on the swimmers, despite wet and changeable conditions.

Conditions on Lough Ree were near perfect for the 93 participants, 28 solo swimmers and 19 relay teams, as they were escorted down river by kayakers, boat captains and the safety team to swim the 13.5km to Athlone Castle. For the second year running, Andy Bushell, a former UK international swimmer, was first solo swimmer home. Demonstrating amazing consistency, Andy completed the course in 4 hours 8 minutes matching his finish time in 2024! Raymond Yorke, originally from Longford but now living in Mullingar was second solo swimmer in, followed by Basil Gilfillan of Athlone RSC who finished the solo swim for the third year.

The first female swimmer to finish was Dublin-based Shauna Scannell and the first swimmer “In Skins” (no wetsuit) was Armagh’s Colin Lindsay, a member of the Infinity Channel Swimming Club. The first relay in was the two-member team made up of siblings Ella and Robbie Powell in a time of 3 hours and 43 minutes. This was Robbie’s third year to be first to arrive at the Castle, in 2023 as a solo swimmer and in 2024/25 on a relay.

Charlie Naughton of Athlone RSC, co-organisers of the event said “We couldn’t have asked for a better day, thanks to a great bunch of swimmers and an amazing support team, the event ran smoothly and safely. We were delighted to have more swimmers taking on the solo swim this year and in particular to see those who had swam as part of a relay previously, stepping up to the bigger challenge.

“We’ve had such great feedback from swimmers since last Saturday and we feel the incredible atmosphere at the finish line and the sense of support that swimmers experienced from all the volunteers and safety crew helped to make the event memorable and special. We are really hopeful that this will continue to build and the Castle to Castle Swim will become a “must do” on the open water swim calendar”.

David Warby of Athlone RSC, who was coach to Jim O’Connor when he completed his 34km swim in 2012, was responsible for co-ordinating the various safety teams involved on the day. “An event involving so many swimmers over a vast expanse of water requires a really comprehensive safety plan. We were very lucky to have the experience of Brendan Donnellan, Richie O’Hara, Matt Harte and Alex Dawson Stanley in drawing up and implementing that plan. On the day itself Athlone Sub Aqua Club, Waterways Ireland, Lough Ree Yacht Club, Inny Kayak Club, Portaneena Marina and over 20 individual boat owners and 33 kayakers provided the essential support. This year, Waterways Ireland closed Navigation for a number of hours adding an extra dimension of safety to the event. The Order of Malta provided two ambulances at the different locations and Dr Mike Brody was on the course throughout.”

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, Joanne O'Connor, Jim's wife and co-organiser, said: "It was a magical day full of cheer for those participating, those involved and for all who turned out in support of their loved ones or just to enjoy the event.

It was totally uplifting to see the joy on the faces of the swimmers as they exited the water and so elated by their achievement".

Speaking on behalf of her family, she said: " We are so very pleased to see this event going from strength to strength each year. For us, being involved helps to give us some sense of meaning to our great loss”.

Joanne said that her late husband Jim would be both proud and humbled by such a day in his memory and in support of such an important charity as Pieta. The O’Connor family thanked the community of Athlone for their continued support of this event with a special thank you to all of the businesses who have sponsored our costs in this and previous years.

Joanne's daughter Hannah spoke on the day and thanked everyone for coming out to support the event. She thanked the swimmers and all involved for their phenomenal fundraising.

Liam Cunningham, Managing Director of Athlone RSC who are co-organisers and main sponsor, thanked all involved including his own team at the sports centre.

Stephanie Manahan, Chief Executive Officer of Pieta said: “This year’s Castle to Castle Swim was an unforgettable day, full of energy, courage and community spirit. Thanks to Joanne, her family, the organising committee, Athlone Regional Sports Centre, and all the swimmers, volunteers and supporters, more than €93,700 has already been raised – an incredible achievement! That generosity will help fund thousands of hours of free professional counselling and therapy, as well as countless calls to our 24/7 crisis helpline, helping us to be there for people in their darkest moments.

Pieta welcome swimmers and volunteers to attend a special appreciation evening at Pieta House Athlone on Wednesday, October 1, at 7pm.

Fundraising pages remain open and anyone wishing to donate can do so at www.castletocastleswim.ie