Grab your togs and Swim for Gaza in Fountainstown (there’s a free sauna in it for you)
Here’s a good reason to brave a sea swim.
Irish people have long had strong connections with the people of Palestine and there are loads of groups up and down the country doing amazing work to show their support and solidarity, including here in Cork.
This month, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Cork is hosting a ‘solidarity swim’ in Fountainstown to bring awareness to the plight of Palestinians, whose human rights are routinely denied, especially in the tightly controlled area of Gaza.
“Since 2007 the people of Gaza have been imprisoned. They have no parks, no mountains, no valleys; no escape.
But they have the sea – their only free space for fun,” said the group on Facebook.
“Each year they have a swimming festival on Gaza beach called the Gaza Swimming Carnival. This year the Swimming Festival will be held on Saturday, August 26th – and in an act of solidarity we aim to join thousands of other people around the world swimming in solidarity with the people of Gaza,” they added.
After a quick dip in the cold but free waters of Fountainstown, swimmers are invited to head straight for a free sauna session with Happy Place Saunas to warm up their muscles.
You can also grab a coffee at The Busy Brew if you need some warming on the inside.
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Swimmers are encouraged to wear red, black, green, or white swimming gear – the colours of the Palestinian flag- and can bring Palestinian flags, football jerseys, and keffiyeh scarves. Photos taken on the day will be sent to the people of Gaza.
Swim for Gaza takes place on Saturday, August 26th from 3pm-6pm in Fountainstown Beach. If you would like to avail of the free sauna after your swim, registration is advised. You can do that through the group’s Eventbrite page here.
