Rea Doherty and Garvan McCann complete historic Rathlin

Rea Doherty and Garvan McCann have completed the first-ever two-way swim from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island and back. The pair, both members of Gartan Open Water Swimmers, tackled the over 24-kilometre route on Monday, September 21, under strict Irish Long Distance Swimming Association regulations.

No one had ever completed a two-way swim on this notorious route before. The attempt had been two years in the making. They started 15 minutes apart from under the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The straight-line distance is 21km, but conditions pushed Doherty's actual swim distance to a little over 24km. She finished in six hours and 15 minutes.

The rules permitted only a regular swimsuit, one hat, goggles, and ear plugs. Swimmers could not touch their support boat or be touched by anyone, even at the midway turn. Each swimmer had a dedicated boat and crew for the entire day. Water temperature varied from 14 to 15 degrees Celsius.

ILDSA recorder Karen Crawford logged conditions every 30 minutes. Feeds were managed creatively. Fluids and energy drinks were thrown out on a long rope. Food like bananas was passed down in a net. Crew members Darragh McGowan and Paddy Doherty prepared these feeds. Intervals were reduced to 20 minutes as time went on, with warm drinks and chocolate added later.

Doherty caught the tide before it turned and powered to shore. Garvan McCann's crew, Pete Baber and George Meenan, carried out feeding and recording for over eight hours. McCann wore a light on his hat after darkness fell. They encountered jellyfish, changing currents, and fading light. The boats were loaded with gear for up to ten hours in the water.

Personal motivation and charitable purpose

The swim supported Cancer Care West and Foyle Hospice, driven by Rea Doherty’s recovery from cancer. The Ballybofey woman and Derry native McCann had originally planned the two-way attempt for 2005, but shelved it when Doherty got sick. They swam one way in 2023 as a precursor.

"Cancer Care West supported me through the journey," said Doherty. "For me, personally, this was just about being grateful to have the health to do it."

The swim was a joint promise. Doherty explained that McCann did not go ahead when she first fell ill. They pledged to do it together later. Fundraising was part of the mission, with McCann swimming for Foyle Hospice. Doherty described feeling relieved and elated upon finishing. It has been a rough couple of years, she admitted, noting a time when she thought she might never return to this level of swimming.

Training, preparation and support network

Years of structured training and a strong support network underpinned the success. Doherty's training involved pool sessions, strength work, and open water acclimatisation from April. At its peak, she did six-hour training swims. Her husband Paddy would often accompany her in a kayak.

Local swimming groups in Donegal, including Gartan, Mountcharles, and Rathmullan, provided key support. The logistics were managed by Aquaholics in Portstewart. They provided the boats, decided the route, and handled all safety aspects. The swim was executed within a pre-booked weather window.

The forecast was initially poor. Our pilot said to us on the Friday that the Saturday and Sunday were definitely out and that Monday wasn’t looking great, Doherty said. The weather improved, allowing them to proceed on the Monday. She expressed immense gratitude to Aquaholics and her three crew members, who were friends and family giving up their time.

Rea Doherty expressed profound relief at completing the challenge. She credited her regained health and the supportive open water community in Donegal for making the daunting swim possible.