SNÁMH FHIAIN is a new four-part series starting on Radio Ulster tomorrow night in which presenter Tessa Fleming joins in with some of the hardy swimmers who dive into our surrounding seas and loughs.
In programme one, Tessa goes to Lough Neagh and teams up with local swimming club, the Ballyronan Bluetits, on their morning swim and learns more about the importance of the Lough with Déaglán Ó Doibhlin.
She also joins Seán Ó Maoilsté as he takes a lunchtime swim at Oxford island.
In the second episode, Tessa travels to Ballycastle and jumps into the waves with the Ballycastle Sunrise Swimmers and meets Belfast man Seán Maskey who learned to swim online and now trains in the open water at Jordanstown shore.
Tessa also joins in with Ali McAllister and friends who swim in the beautiful waters at Waterfoot.
Donegal is the destination for programme three in which Tessa meets local swimming legend Anraí Ó Domhnaill and joins a group from Gartan Swimmers who go for a dip at Portsalon.
In the fourth and final programme, Tessa swims in the shadow of Slieve Donard with local swimmer Therese Ruddle and learns about the Camlough world record swim of 2009 from Muiris Mac Dhaibhéid and listeners hear from Bláithín Mhic Cana about her new swim group, Lough Ross Ladies.
The series follows the swimmers who flock to Helen’s Bay for their fix of ‘vitamin sea’ as Tessa gets into the water with the footballers from Laochra Loch Lao, local author Máire Zepf and mother and daughter Éadaoin and Mary Early.
Snámh Fiain begins on BBC Radio Ulster after the 7pm news tomorrow evening.
