One of the best things to have come out of my passion for sea swimming is this little collaboration with Galway-based illustrator extraordinaire Ciara Coogan and Aisling Lynch of Into the Blue Aquatic Wellbeing.
I met Ciara last summer during an open-water swimming course led by Caroline Doorly and Aisling Lynch. Aisling and Caroline do so much to educate and nurture the sea swimming community in Galway and I am fortunate to be among those who have enjoyed their guidance.
This summer, Aisling has been celebrating 100 Days of Blue, a countdown to remind us to slow down, be present with nature, and enjoy the health benefits of blue spaces. In Galway we are lucky to have many staggeringly lovely beaches, but life in 2025 remains busy, stressful and sometimes uncertain, so mindful practices like this can really make a difference.
When Ciara asked if I would like to contribute some writing for 100 Days of Blue, I found a journal entry I had written while looking out over Galway Bay. This rough sketch became a poem, Let Go Child, which Ciara has expertly illustrated, and together we have published this as a very limited edition pamphlet. It has been a pleasure working with Ciara, who has recently illustrated three cookbooks in the gorgeous Blasta Books series from Nine Bean Rows.
At 5pm on Wednesday 3rd September we will be marking the 100th Day of Blue with a meeting at Ladies Beach. It will be an informal event involving a chat, a sea dip, and a little reading. Everyone is welcome, and those who come will be given a copy of our special little publication Let Go Child.