30 Years underwater - Christmas Day swim!

by NIFC - National Irish Freedom Committee Thu Dec 14, 2006 20:58 nifcmem at optonline dot net

National Irish Freedom Committee
Free-Forum Video Discussion Series
Segment 3

The NIFC welcomes John Horan, longtime Irish Republican activist and organizer for Cabhair in Ireland. Cabhair (cower) is a charitable organization in Ireland that supports the dependents of Irish Republican political prisoners who are enduring the ominous conditions inside of the British and Irish Free State concentration camps. Mr. Horan talks about the origins and history of Cabhair, and how it has helped hundreds of families cope while there loved ones are imprisoned for their political activities to secure a just and lasting peace in Ireland. John goes on to cover the historic Cabhair Christmas swim in Dublin; established over twenty years ago to help alleviate the financial burden of the families during the detainment of their main breadwinner. The segment can be viewed by clicking the link below. Please forward any comments or questions to freeforum@irishfreedom.net

http://irishfreedom.net/Videos/FFV%203.wmv

www.irishfreedom.net

by Sharon . - Individual . Mon Dec 25, 2006 19:47

Hi !

Myself and one of the little ones came down two days ago with what she delightfully (!) calls the 'belly-wobbles' and , as a result , both of us stayed away from the Cabhair swim : not only were we definitely not up to going out , but it would also have been unfair of us to attend the event and risk passing the 'bug' on to anyone else .

In the last few hours I spoke to two people that were present at the event , and I'm told all went according to plan . The weather was misty and damp , though not raining or cold , the canal water was wet (!) and freezing and a crowd of about 100 people turned-out to watch the proceedings and shout encouragement at the swimmers (eight of them altogether) . Four members of the Special Branch took up position at the main (Naas Road) entrance to the swim site and a further two Special Branch members stood across the Lough on the far side of the canal - the dozens of people coming to the event from either of those two directions were stopped and roughly questioned by one or other of those six operatives . This happens every year .

The usual mince pies , crisps , sweets, lemonades and various beers , lagers , ales and whiskeys were served-up to all on-lookers and swimmers by the organisers , and a couple of swans that wandered on to the swim site out of curiosity were 'bribed' with tasty tit-bits and so kept their distance !
All in all , a day well spent . Paula from 'Indymedia' captured some great pictures of the proceedings -
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/80371&comment_limit=0&c...80224 - thanks , Paula - sorry I missed you . John has been telling me about all the hot whiskies you drank ... !
;-)

'Bye,

Sharon .