Flo Flo Dermo The Shannon Source to Sea challenge

12_th September 2024 - 1_st October 2024

Dowra, ireland

The Shannon Source to Sea challenge.

I’m attempting to become the oldest person and the fastest person to swim the Shannon. 

The speed record at present stands at 14 days and the oldest person was 56 years old.

My research indicates that six people, three men, and three women have to date successfully swam the Shannon from source to sea.

I plan to begin my Shannon swim attempt on September 12 in the village of Dowra County Cavan and finish in Limerick on or before September 25, swimming on average, 20 km every day. 

Here is why Dermot is supporting Pieta: 

"I am a 62-year-old retired teacher/principal teacher, I’m divorced and have four adult children and I’m presently living in Skerries, North County Dublin. 

I’m physically extremely strong and robust but have had depression on three occasions. My first episode of depression was in 2008 when I was hospitalised for the first time. My most serious and prolonged episode was in the Covid era when I was hospitalised and attempted suicide.

In 2017, after retiring, I pursued my passion for outdoor sports and challenges. I cycled around the world, swam non-stop for 24 hours, created the Dickie Dip, and paddled the Yukon. I've raised over €250,000 for charity, including Pieta. This is my second attempt at swimming the Shannon after a serious injury forced me to cancel the first event in 2022.