Portlaoise woman Sinéad Ní Chuinn was among 50 Irish-language speakers who braved the cold waters of Ireland’s coastline in a powerful display of solidarity over the weekend.
The campaign, Snámh don Phalaistín (Swim for Palestine), saw swimmers take a plunge in all 17 coastal counties of Ireland, highlighting the solidarity of the Irish-language community with the Palestinian people during a time of crisis.
Conradh na Gaeilge, Ireland’s national Irish-language organisation, organised Snámh don Phalaistín to fundraise for ACLAÍ Palestine, a community gym located in the Lajee Centre in
the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, West Bank Palestine.
The centre plays a vital role in promoting health, wellbeing, and resistance through movement and education, particularly among the youth living under occupation.
The campaign was inspired by motions passed at Conradh na Gaeilge’s Ard-Fheis earlier this year, which called for solidarity with the Palestinian people, a permanent ceasefire, and the
implementation of a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) policy within the organisation.
23 year old Portlaoise woman, Sinéad Ní Chuinn, said that she was honoured to be involved in a display of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Over 50,000 Palestinians are reported as having been killed, including children.
“I’m very proud of what we achieved as a group and for such an important cause (cúis thábhachtach),” Sinéad said.
“As Irish people (muintir na hÉireann), we have our own history of colonisation (coilíniú) and struggle (streachailt) and have a genuine understanding of what it means to have your identity (féiniúlacht), language (teanga), and freedom (saoirse) under threat.
“That’s why so many of us feel a deep connection with the Palestinian struggle. It was genuinely moving to see so many of us from all over the country come together, united by a shared sense of compassion (comhbhá), solidarity (dlúthpháirtíocht), and purpose (dúthracht).
“The genocide (cinedhíothú) of the Palestinian people (muintir na Palaistíne) is an ongoing atrocity that demands the world’s attention. Ní saoirse go saoirse na Palaistíne.”
At first light on Saturday, April 12, the group set off at 5am with their first swim in Balbriggan, County Dublin.
From there, they continued on to Laytown and Blackrock before making their way around the north of Ireland’s coastline, stopping for swims in Warrenpoint, Portrush, Portstewart, Bundoran, then into Connacht, Tullaghan, and Mullaghmore, and completing day one with a final dip in Killala, County Mayo at 20:30.
The following morning began at 8am in Salthill, Galway, where the swimmers continued on their journey.
Day two also brought them to the west Munster coastline, to Ballyvaughan and Ballybunion, then eastward through Youghal, An Rinn, and reaching Leinster in Courtown, before finishing off the challenge with a symbolic final swim just before midnight in Bray, County Wicklow.
The campaign has already raised over €59,000, surpassing the group’s original goal of €50,000. With momentum still building, they have now set their sights on a new target of €60,000, which they hope to reach in the coming days.
Swimmers posted their experiences online using the hashtag #SnámhDonPhalaistín, drawing positive publicity and support across social media.
Donations remain open, and the public can continue to contribute to their cause. All information about Snámh don Phalaistín, including how to donate, can be found here. Those who prefer to donate directly to Sinéad’s can do so here.
