Swimming A Long Way Together

Eight locations around Donaghadee will be animated to mark each of Mercede's swim attempts. Each location will be animated through a pop-up intervention - artworks, performance, talks and music – unfolding across the afternoon, on land and in the water. 

1. The Commons / Robbie's Point (from 5pm)

2. Parade Green by Donaghadee Community Centre (5.30pm)

3. Pier 36 (from 5pm)

4. Kelly's Steps (6pm)

5. Grass area outside Donaghadee Sailing Club (6.30pm)

6. Community Centre (7.15pm) - Heritage talks on Mercedes Gleitz by Anna Maria Mullally and Jane Wright. No booking required.

7. Harbour (8.15 - 9pm)

8. Lighthouse (8.15 - 9.30pm)

Thursday 21 April

Donaghadee Sailing Club

7pm

Cost: £5 includes refreshment

Join Maureen McCoy Author, Wild Swimmer, Channel Swimmer, teacher and coach  for a talk on Open Water Swimming Safety at Donaghadee Sailing Club on Thursday 21 April.

The talk will cover; Open Water Safety including Cold Water Shock, acclimatisation, swim incapacitation; how to recognise the signs and essential skills for open water. The talk will be followed by a Q & A session.

Maureen has been teaching and coaching swimming for over 30 years and as a life long open water swimmer developed the Couch to 5km Outdoor Swim Program with Waterways Ireland 2017-2019. 

Maureen, amongst other swims, was Irish Ladies 17km Champion in 2006, was in the first relay team to complete the full length of the two lough Ernes, Co Fermanagh, completed her English Channel solo in 2009 and won silver in Alaskas Pennock Island Challenge swim 2013. She completed the Ice mile in 2015. 

Since then she has been exploring Ireland for hidden swim spots and in 2016 along with photographer Paul McCambridge she published Wild Swimming in Ireland.

In her role as Tutor she has helped inspire the next generation of swimmers and teachers 

Pre-booking essential: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-zzgzapy

Create your own illuminated boat! The boats will be illuminated for the re-enactment of the welcoming home of Mercedes from one of her North Channel Swim attempts she made back in 1928 and 1929. The re-enactment is part of the Swimming a Long Way Together event.

The boats will be made from wire, wet strength tissue and PVA glue. They will be attached onto garden canes and an LED light will attached inside.

Participants of the workshop will be able to collect the boats they made in the workshop on the Sunday evening, April 24th, at 8.15pm from the Donaghadee Community Centre. They can take them home with them after the event at 9pm.

If you cannot make Donaghadee on Sunday 24th we will arrange for them to be collected after the event.

The workshops cost £5 per boat made | Suitable for 12 years - adults

Families are welcome, children and young people up to age of 16 need to accompanied by an adult. The workshop can be messy, we use PVA glue with the tissue to cover the frames. Wear old clothes.

Pre-booking is essential.

Ards Arts Centre | Thursday 21 April | 10 am - 12noon

Book at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-eakagly

Donaghadee Community Centre | Friday 22 April | 2pm - 4pm

Book at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-jzkzevk