A Connemara man undertakes an unorthodox training regime and diet in preparation to row around Ireland in a currach.
Rory O'Connor from An Spidéal outlines his training regime, in advance of his marathon rowing attempt for charity.
The majority of athletes, when in training for a long distance event, try to keep their weight down. Rory O’Connor does not believe in this theory. Working on the premise that the strenuous effort of rowing around Ireland will cause him to lose a lot of weight, he is currently in the process of building up his reserves.
At Spiddal’s Boluisce Restaurant during a break from training Rory O'Connor maintains that it is not all about what you eat and drink. He is putting the work in, day by day.
Roughly I do five miles on the road, running, getting into shape, then I do a rake of press-ups, you know and I lift the weights and about six miles in the currach, going hard, you know.
The western Atlantic presents dangers for even the most experienced of seafarers, but this fact is no deterrent for Roy O'Connor. The biggest challenge for him will be dealing with sore hands and a sore posterior, as he plans to row twenty miles a day. The marathon trip will take around two and a half months to complete. As reporter Jim Fahy puts it,
Depending on how you look at it, the idea of rowing around Ireland is either completely crazy, or, on the other hand, highly commendable.
A ‘Newsround’ report broadcast on 7 May 1978. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
