Snámh don Phalaistín challenge coming to Mayo this weekend

FIFTY people from the Irish-language community all over the country will gather before dawn this Saturday morning in Balbriggan to begin a swimming challenge organised by Conradh na Gaeilge to raise money for ACLAÍ Palestine, a core project of the Lajee Center in Aida refugee camp, in the Palestinian West Bank.

Over two days, the group will travel around the country swimming in the sea in all 17 coastal counties in Ireland, including Mayo.

Saturday’s journey will see the group swimming in Balbriggan, Laytown, Blackrock, Warrenpoint, Port Rush, Portstewart, Bundoran, Tullaghan, Mullaghmore, and finishing the day in Killala.

Day two will begin in Salthill in Galway, before heading south to Ballyvaughan, Ballybunnion, Youghal, Ceann Heilbhic, Courtown, and finishing in Bray.

Local communities are invited to come and show support and solidarity at each of the stops.

Speaking about the event, Aodhán Ó Deá, director of development with Conradh na Gaeilge, said: “Several motions were passed at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis this year and last in relation to Palestinian solidarity, such as calling for an immediate permanent ceasefire and implementing a BDS policy within the organisation. We wanted to pro-actively support the Palestinian community, and we have a natural connection with ACLAÍ Palestine and the Lajee Center: various people from the Irish-language community have spent time volunteering at the centre in recent years and in December 2024, a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was registered at the Lajee Center - the first branch ever in Palestine.”

Róisín Ní Chinnéide, advocacy manager with Conradh na Gaeilge and former volunteer in the Lajee Center, said: “It’s more important than ever for us to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are suffering under ongoing genocide, apartheid and colonisation. Words can’t describe the daily challenges faced by the community in the Aida Camp, and the Lajee Center serves as an anchor for their incredible resilience.

“Every cent raised from this fundraising campaign will go straight to a community centre that is run by and for refugees, to continue to provide essential services for their community. ”

For updates on Snámh don Phalaistín as the group travels around the country, follow @cnagaeilge. All information about Snámh don Phalaistín and donation here.