Liffey Swim History
The first Liffey Swim took place on 22 July 1920.
Bernard Fagan was the first to organise the race. Fagan was a swimmer and became a public health analyst for Dublin Corporation in 1923. The race was swum at high tide when there were fewer pollutants. The first Liffey Swim had an entry of 27 male swimmers and was won by J.J. Kennedy with Bernard Fagan himself coming in third. Fagan's son Jack Fagan later won the Liffey Swim in 1951. During the 1930s, 40s and early 50s the Liffey Swim attracted large crowds. The race originally started at Victoria Quay, from a Guinness Barge and finished at Burgh Quay. In 1991 the first ladies race was introduced and in the early 1990s the race was moved 400 yards down river to start beside the Civic Offices and to finish opposite the Custom House.
Video of the Liffey Swim - 1921 and 1926
See below History of the Liffey Swim by Cyril J Smyth of TCD
1920 to 1949
1950's Part 1
1950's Part 2
1960's Part 1
1960's part 2
1960's part 3
1960's part 4
Liffey Swim Winners 1920 - 2013