Greystones Swimming Club Hits 100

It’s all about the technique…

t was way, way back in 1924 that the Greystones Swimming Club first dipped its toe in the cold, cold Irish Sea…

And somewhat remarkably, it’s still going strong today.

We Greystonians are a hardy bunch, after all. No matter what our neighbours say.

Which is why there was a South Beach party last night, with yum-yums, music, games and, of course, a dip in the sea.

Given a whole new lease in life in 1970 by the town’s no.1 water baby, Angela Wynne, and Rosemarie Greenly, here’s a little history of that timely revival…

That 1969 Water Safety class

In the summer of 1969, the town’s first-ever water safety class took place down at the harbour, thanks largely to the efforts of the water-loving Angela.

A year later, teaming up with the equally water-loving Rosemarie Greenly, the duo decided to give the dormant Greystones Swimming Club the kiss of life, this 1924-founded organisation having been beached for quite a few years.

And for the next three decades, everything went pretty much swimmingly for Angela, Rosemarie and fellow club members Denis Frawley, Peggy Fallon, Mairin Harris and Christine O’Grady, with hundreds upon hundreds of kids finding their webbed feet in the Greystones Swimming Club, and plenty more joining those Saturday evening Wicklow Water Safety classes at Bray’s Presentation School.

The Greystones Swimming Club committee 2008

It was when the latter closed its doors for the very last time in 2000 that Angela and co recognised that their dream of a swimming pool had become that little bit more urgent.

Having pitched – and drawn up the plans – for an outdoor swimming pool as part of the old harbour, the unpredictability of the Irish weather convinced the newly-formed Greystones Swimming Pool Committee that having a roof over their heads might actually be a better idea.

And so the gang were soon going door to door, bucket in hand (hey, they had a lot of water to collect), asking each Greystones household to contribute €100.

There was also a Gala Ball, and a night of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, the ever-rising tally depicted as a rising wave in the window of Vincent Kelly Butchers on the main street. After eight years of tireless fundraising – and a big shout-out to the great Margaret Gillespie, Michele O’Leary, Jo Leonard, Mark Mitchell, Breda St John and Denis Foley on this front – saw the €500,000 raised, and Greystones’ very own swimming pool opening its doors to the great unwashed on October 12th, 2008.

Angela’s splashes were recognised with a dedicated bench outside Shoreline back in September 2019.

And big thanks to water baby John McGowan for capturing the 100th birthday splash – full gallery here. 

You can check out John McGowan’s full gallery of the 100th birthday splash here, and you can find out more about the club right here.