Picture gallery: Knockvicar homecoming for Shannon swimmer Paul
The Little and Cooney families at the celebrations to mark the return of Paul Little following his heroic completion of the 230 km “Swim the Shannon 2025” challenge. Pic: Mark Kelly
A very special homecoming awaited Shannon swimmer Paul Little when locals gathered at Tara Marina in Knockvicar last Thursday evening to celebrate his return following his heroic completion of the 230 km “Swim the Shannon 2025” challenge.
Paul, who was a past winner of “Ireland’s Fittest Farmer,” embarked on his audacious swim from Dowra, Co. Cavan on August 10th. Over eight gruelling days, he swam the full length of Ireland's longest river, reaching Limerick on August 17th and becoming the fastest person ever to complete the route—swimming an average of 30 km per day.
A large crowd gathered in Knockvicar to celebrate his achievement. Paul thanked everyone who turned out on the evening and over the course of the swim week itself - he said there were some very low points during the week but he was buoyed on each day by the crowds that came to see and cheer him along the full stretch of the river.
He remarked that he started to believe he was hallucinating at certain points as he swam some very remote parts of the river only to realise what he was hearing was cheering from people who had make efforts to cross fields to the riverside to encourage him or also passing cruisers who had heard about his challenge via various social media channels or newspapers. It gave him huge strength and if anything he felt stronger the final two days of the swim as the support grew.
He thanked his amazing team who supported him over the week especially his wife Hazel who had kept everything going behind the scenes over the eight days.
The underlying purpose behind the challenge was close to Paul's heart: raising funds for North West STOP, a local suicide prevention charity. Though his initial fundraising goal was a modest €2,500, his efforts have inspired generosity beyond expectations—with donations well over €21,000 to date and climbing.
Nicola O'Connor of North West Stop spoke on the evening and thanked Paul for what he had undertaken and spoke of how the money raised would go on to save the lives of people that he or anybody else would not even realise.
Donations can continue to be made by visiting his Facebook Page ' Paul's Swim the Shannon 2025' or via https://northweststop.enthuse.com/pf/shannonswim
