AT the very last minute Lissadell Beach was chosen as the location for Sligo’s ‘Dip in the Nip’ event, during which around 180 women from the North-West took to the seas to raise money for cancer.
Women aged from 17 to 71 took part, and organisers are hopeful that more than €100,000 will be raised for a cancer charity.
WHEN it comes to supporting a worthy cause Irish people really do know how to rally together. This spirit of generosity was evident in Sligo at the weekend when 180 brave ladies ‘skinny dipped’ naked for charity - to raise money and lose their inhibitions.
The ‘Dip in the Nip’' saw the women strip completely naked and make a dash into the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday morning at Lissadell Beach. Organisers had been hoping to get the event into the Guinness Book of Records but they failed to attract the target of 250 needed on the day to break the world record of nude women bathing en masse.
Nobody, apart from the organisers, knew of the location of the dip until late on Friday night when a text message alert with the location was forwarded to all participants.
Event co-organiser Grainne Gilmartin, from the Wine Street Wellness Centre, Sligo said the day was a wonderful success. “Everything went brilliantly. There were no men and no hiccups!” she said. “The women were all very relaxed and comfortable on the day, it was amazing.”
Rosses Point had initially been touted as the venue for the skinny dip but the location was abandoned because it is partially overlooked by County Sligo Golf Club and organisers were keen to keep prying eyes away from an all female skinny dip.
Dip participants ranged from 17-71 and some of the women had experienced cancer themselves. Others had friends or relatives who were battling the disease. All were keen to raise as much money as possible for charity Action Breast Cancer - a division of The Irish Cancer Society..
“Though we don’t know the exact amount raised just yet, I think we will make the target of •100k,” said Grainne. “People have been so generous. The media coverage has been fantastic and that has made a big difference in helping to get a strong message of ‘breast cancer awareness’ out to the public.”
Grainne and co-organiser Maire Garvey visited many beaches throughout the region and decided Lissadell was the perfect venue for the event “The protection and privacy of the entrants was paramount in our minds, we wanted them to enjoy a memorable fun day within their comfort boundaries.”
Female photographer Frances Muldoon was on hand to tastefully record the momentous occasion and a Calendar for 2010 is being planned to commemorate the day and raise more much needed funds.
Security on the day was provided by three female army personnel. Four female life guards and a female garda were also on site.
