Kerry women take the plunge
KERRY women have helped play a part in the new Guinness world record for the world’s largest skinny dip, in County Wicklow at the weekend.
Lisa Ragosa and Laura Meagher, from Kenmare; and Jacqui Tagney, Killarney, were among 2,505 women, including at least 12 other Kerry women, who bared it all to break the world record and raise money for charity at the same time.
Held at Meaghermore beach in Wicklow, women from across Ireland took part in the Strip and Dip, organised by Dee Featherstone. Such was the interest in the event that the huge turn-out of 2,505 women exceeded all expectations and helped break the previous world record set by 786 participants in Perth in 2015.
Lisa says that the whole experience was “one of the best things I have ever done.”
Lisa’s mother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 38 and she died by suicide soon after. At the time, cancer treatment was not as advanced as it is now. Lisa was instrumental in the Kenmare Pink Ribbon Walk back in 2014 and 2015, helping to raise €60,000, and it was through this that she decided to take the plunge at this fund-raiser.
Laura Meagher, who is currently battling breast cancer, also decided to join her.
Both women bared it all to play their part in the Guinness World Record.
“It was one of the best things I have ever done. I think it was the fact that we were complete strangers doing it together. There were 3,000 women butt-naked on a beach.”
It was Lisa that came up with the idea of spelling out ‘Guinness World Record 2018’ on the women’s bottoms in what has become one of the iconic photos of the event, having made headlines across the globe. The annual event is open to women cancer patients and survivors.
Jacqui, who is a cancer survivor, described the experience as “the most emotional and amazing experience of my life”. She took the challenge in honour of friends and family affected by cancer.
All the funds raised are for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, a children’s cancer charity, which was supported by former Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan, who also had cancer. Saturday’s World Record event raised €270,000 and funds are still coming in. Lisa, who works in the Kenmare Bay Hotel, has raised €1590 to date, and if anyone wants to support her or Laura they can still donate to this worthy cause.