Aidan J Brennan

Hi there, I’m Aidan J Brennan and proud to be this year’s Grand Dublin Swim Event Ambassador. I have participated in the last three years’ 750m races and was planning to do the 1600m this year before being asked to take on this honour. I love open water swimming and have been doing plenty of practice swims in events in Dunmore East, Athy and Passage East amongst others.

Aidan is 46 from Kilkenny and happily married to Ailish who he met doing a triathlon in Kilkenny seven years ago. In my spare time, I swim long distances as a hobby and keeping fit as well as taking part competitively in Masters Swimming Galas. I also competitively take part in the swimming stages of triathlons. In the last twelve months, I have won many medals and achieved personal bests in times at these Galas both as a Masters and Paralympic swimmer in both the Republic and Northern Ireland. I am often asked to take part in a relay team for a triathlon where the participant cannot swim or is afraid of the water.

Whilst I have had Cerebral Palsy since birth this has not prevented from taking part in life, particularly the outdoors, where I use to climb up mountains as a young Scout of which I got a gallantry award for. Following a car accident some years ago and a complete left hip replacement I now use crutches to get around. Whilst unable to walk up mountains, I now descend the depths of the Mediterranean scuba diving whilst on holidays. I am a water rat when it revolves so much around my leisure time either in a swimming pool or open water.

I am a dedicated supporter of the Kilkenny Hurling Team and proudly wear the Black & Amber. As a Kat, we are well use to our annual trip to Croke Park on All-Ireland Sunday. The atmosphere amongst 83000 supporters only must be witnessed.

A member of Scouting Ireland since 1977 as a Cub Scout, Scout, Venture Scout and finally becoming a Scouter in 1988. I have serviced as a Scouter at local (1st Kilkenny Scout Group), county (Ormonde District & Carlow-Kilkenny Scout County) and national (National Venture Scout Team, International Team, National Adult Resources Committee & The Scout Foundation) levels over a thirty-year period. I hold many Scouting awards for gallantry, achievement, leadership and outstanding service. I have represented Irish Scouting abroad through international conferences and World Scout Jamborees in England, Sweden and Japan. At these Jamborees, I have worked as a member of the Special Guest