Growing up in Kerry, Aisling Brosnan was always exposed to the elements of Ireland’s coastline, spending a lot of her childhood on the beaches and in the water.
“When we were kids, we were always at the beach or near water: in a canoe with my dad, jumping into the water pools or picking cockles on Poll Gorm,” she says.
Having studied law in University College Cork, Aisling moved to Birmingham where she undertook a postgraduate diploma in history of art and design. Aisling went into a career in fashion buying, working for Dunnes and Primark here in Ireland and then moving to Primark’s UK office in 2013 and then on to Ralph Lauren and Arcadia.
“Then in 2019 I moved home to Kerry from London and everything changed,” she explains.
Aisling Brosnan at Kelly's Beach
One of the things Aisling decided to do the summer after she returned home was to be able to swim a lap of the buoys at her local Locke’s Beach in Fenit, having previously had lessons in the pool.
“One lap of the buoys led onto longer and longer open water swims and progressed from doing a fundraising swim for Irish Motor Neurone Disease in memory of my dad in 2020 to becoming part of a four woman swim relay team: The Fenit Funky Femmes,” she explains.
The Fenit Funky Femmes
The four-woman swim relay team consists of Aisling, Elaine Burrows Dillane, Caroline Corkery and Sandra Martin.
“Last year we swam the English Channel and were the first to swim from Fenit Lighthouse in Kerry to Loop Head Lighthouse, Co Clare,” she says.
This year the team attempted the North Channel (Northern Ireland - Scotland) but were unsuccessful.
“We have some unfinished business there and no doubt will be back,” says Aisling.
One of the main things that Aisling has learned from swimming is her own resilience.
“It has shown me that the only thing holding me back is my mind. I have never gotten out of the water after a swim and regretted getting in - despite some swims being incredibly difficult, whether that was down to weather or conditions in the water,” she says.
She also enjoys the places swimming takes her, both physically and mentally.
“You get into the water and you need to focus. Sometimes my mind drifts off and anything from family, friends, to-do lists and Kate Bush comes into mind. The best thing is you get away from the ‘IRL’ [in real life] for a while - no phone, just you, the sea and if you are lucky, the Fenit three [our local pod of dolphins]. I definitely get out of the water and feel stronger for getting in,” she says.
Aisling Brosnan
Fenit Without
Along with her husband Karl, Aisling started a business called Fenit Without in 2020, which has since evolved. Fenit Without is a media, marketing and merchandise project built from a love and respect for the Irish coastal village of Fenit.
The company focuses on providing information and promotion around initiatives and activities of local community groups and businesses.
“I also consult for local businesses, supporting them in retail buying, sourcing, branding and e-commerce strategies,” explains Aisling.
Having recently completed a diploma course in business sustainability, Aisling is looking forward to being able to integrate this into her own consultancy services, coaching business and community groups.
Aisling Brosnan at the North Channel 2023
Facing challenges
Learning to trust in her fitness and training and how far it can take her was one of the factors that Aisling found challenging.
“You have to banish thoughts of tiredness or feeling cold, knowing that all the training has already been done and has led you to this place right now in the water,” she says.
Her fourth and final swim during the English Channel challenge was very difficult.
“I was tired and the last hour felt incredibly long. But you can’t give up, and especially not when you are there as part of a relay team: you’re not just swimming for you, but for your three team mates, your coach [Kevin Williams] and all your family and friends who have been with you on the journey,” she says.
Transitioning from swimming in a wetsuit to just skins (togs) was also difficult for Aisling. “I played a lot of mind games to get me past the point where now I’m more comfortable and could never go back to a wetsuit,” she explains.
Advice for getting active
For anyone interested in starting swimming, Aisling has the following advice:
“The swim community is great - we all want people to do what we do because we think it’s the best thing in the world. Before you know it, you’re already doing a lap of the buoys and there’s no stopping you.”
Safety
guidelines for
open water
swimming
Familiarise yourself with the impact of weather and tides.Recognise the symptoms of hypothermia.Have a swimming companion.Enter the water gradually to prevent cold water shock.Wear a timekeeping device to track your time in the water.Swim in a direction parallel to the shore.Pack additional clothing layers for post-swim comfort, along with a warm beverage like soup or a hot drink. Read more
Rounding up the action thanks to community spirit
Empowering rural youth: A women's rugby team inspiring active participation
Growing up in Kerry, Aisling Brosnan was always exposed to the elements of Ireland’s coastline, spending a lot of her childhood on the beaches and in the water.
“When we were kids, we were always at the beach or near water: in a canoe with my dad, jumping into the water pools or picking cockles on Poll Gorm,” she says.
Having studied law in University College Cork, Aisling moved to Birmingham where she undertook a postgraduate diploma in history of art and design. Aisling went into a career in fashion buying, working for Dunnes and Primark here in Ireland and then moving to Primark’s UK office in 2013 and then on to Ralph Lauren and Arcadia.
“Then in 2019 I moved home to Kerry from London and everything changed,” she explains.
Aisling Brosnan at Kelly's Beach
One of the things Aisling decided to do the summer after she returned home was to be able to swim a lap of the buoys at her local Locke’s Beach in Fenit, having previously had lessons in the pool.
“One lap of the buoys led onto longer and longer open water swims and progressed from doing a fundraising swim for Irish Motor Neurone Disease in memory of my dad in 2020 to becoming part of a four woman swim relay team: The Fenit Funky Femmes,” she explains.
The Fenit Funky Femmes
The four-woman swim relay team consists of Aisling, Elaine Burrows Dillane, Caroline Corkery and Sandra Martin.
“Last year we swam the English Channel and were the first to swim from Fenit Lighthouse in Kerry to Loop Head Lighthouse, Co Clare,” she says.
This year the team attempted the North Channel (Northern Ireland - Scotland) but were unsuccessful.
“We have some unfinished business there and no doubt will be back,” says Aisling.
One of the main things that Aisling has learned from swimming is her own resilience.
“It has shown me that the only thing holding me back is my mind. I have never gotten out of the water after a swim and regretted getting in - despite some swims being incredibly difficult, whether that was down to weather or conditions in the water,” she says.
She also enjoys the places swimming takes her, both physically and mentally.
“You get into the water and you need to focus. Sometimes my mind drifts off and anything from family, friends, to-do lists and Kate Bush comes into mind. The best thing is you get away from the ‘IRL’ [in real life] for a while - no phone, just you, the sea and if you are lucky, the Fenit three [our local pod of dolphins]. I definitely get out of the water and feel stronger for getting in,” she says.
Aisling Brosnan
Fenit Without
Along with her husband Karl, Aisling started a business called Fenit Without in 2020, which has since evolved. Fenit Without is a media, marketing and merchandise project built from a love and respect for the Irish coastal village of Fenit.
The company focuses on providing information and promotion around initiatives and activities of local community groups and businesses.
“I also consult for local businesses, supporting them in retail buying, sourcing, branding and e-commerce strategies,” explains Aisling.
Having recently completed a diploma course in business sustainability, Aisling is looking forward to being able to integrate this into her own consultancy services, coaching business and community groups.
Aisling Brosnan at the North Channel 2023
Facing challenges
Learning to trust in her fitness and training and how far it can take her was one of the factors that Aisling found challenging.
“You have to banish thoughts of tiredness or feeling cold, knowing that all the training has already been done and has led you to this place right now in the water,” she says.
Her fourth and final swim during the English Channel challenge was very difficult.
“I was tired and the last hour felt incredibly long. But you can’t give up, and especially not when you are there as part of a relay team: you’re not just swimming for you, but for your three team mates, your coach [Kevin Williams] and all your family and friends who have been with you on the journey,” she says.
Transitioning from swimming in a wetsuit to just skins (togs) was also difficult for Aisling. “I played a lot of mind games to get me past the point where now I’m more comfortable and could never go back to a wetsuit,” she explains.
Advice for getting active
For anyone interested in starting swimming, Aisling has the following advice:
“The swim community is great - we all want people to do what we do because we think it’s the best thing in the world. Before you know it, you’re already doing a lap of the buoys and there’s no stopping you.”
Safety
guidelines for
open water
swimming
Familiarise yourself with the impact of weather and tides.Recognise the symptoms of hypothermia.Have a swimming companion.Enter the water gradually to prevent cold water shock.Wear a timekeeping device to track your time in the water.Swim in a direction parallel to the shore.Pack additional clothing layers for post-swim comfort, along with a warm beverage like soup or a hot drink. Read more
Rounding up the action thanks to community spirit
Empowering rural youth: A women's rugby team inspiring active participation
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