Jim Warny is the latest to break the record for deep cave dives in Ireland and the UK – even if he did admit that having his wife and dog waiting on the surface added to the pressure of the challenge!
Since 2008, Pollatoomary Resurgence in Co. Mayo has been the site of several record-setting dives. Artur Koslowski initially aimed for a straightforward 33m dive to the bottom of the shaft, reported by Martyn Farr in 1978. It became clear to Artur that the shaft didn’t stop at that depth but was just a step down to what is now is a record depth for Ireland and the UK. Over a series of dives, he progressed to depths which required mixed gas diving (Trimix) to manage safely the increased pressure. In May 2008, Artur reached a depth of 86m, surpassing this on July 5th with a dive to 103m. Artur died in a diving accident in 2011.
His record was surpassed ten years later by Michal Marek, a Polish diver based in Galway. Using a rebreather Michal reached 113m in a dive lasting five hours. The rebreather greatly simplified the dive and increased the time that could be spent underwater. Michal died during an open water dive off Donegal in 2019.
Jim Warny began actively exploring caves in Ireland in 2006, after moving from Belgium, where he had begun both caving and cave diving. He discovered and extended many underwater caves in the Gort Lowlands. He met Artur Koslowski, dived with him and mentored his use of rebreathers. After Artur’s death, he continued to dive and achieved the longest cave dive in Ireland at 2970m. He met Michal Marek and in 2012 explored Cliff Cave with him. At over 2.7km this is the longest marine cave in Ireland.
Deep diving never gave Jim a warm feeling, but after the loss of these two close friends, he continued to dive and in 2019 one of Michal’s diving buddies asked him to join a dive at Pollatoomary and having, in a series of dives, re-lined the cave down to -79m he began to formulate a plan to push on beyond Michal’s limit. However, he was kept busy by other projects for the next few years and in 2022 was diagnosed with a heart condition which, while of little consequence in normal life, could have been disastrous on a deep dive. Jim decided to have the necessary operation and after that felt sufficiently ready in mind and body to return to Pollatoomary and attempt the record.
In the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day 2025, the weather had been very dry and water levels were low, ideal conditions for diving. Work started on March 16th when Jim installed an 11mm climbing rope in the first part of the cave, down to -30m. This was to act as a support and comfort during the long decompression stops. The next day was St Patrick’s Day and Jim’s wife Ammy wanted to go to the parade in Westport but was persuaded that he could dive first and still make the parade later!
Jim said: “Bringing your wife and dog along to wait at the surface might not be a great idea and added to the pressure.” But he kitted up with his rebreather and four cylinders of various gases and set off down. At -30 m he belayed a new 4mm line to the end of the climbing rope and proceeded through a constriction and on down the slope, carefully bundling up the old lines on the way. After 27 minutes he reached -80m and stopped for the day, turned around and headed back upslope to begin the decompression phase. The dive took one hour and 49 minutes and needless to say, they missed the parade.
The next dive required more planning and Jim decided on a mix of gases that would be suitable down to -150m. He also took a scooter to minimise exertion and to speed up travel time, thus shortening the decompression stops.The plan was discussed in detail with Ammy and on this dive Jim also had support from Adam Seweryn. This dive took place on April 6th. After kitting up and confirming the plan with Adam, Jim entered the water. Everything went smoothly to -40m so he hit the trigger on the scooter.
Thirteen minutes in, he was at -80m and tied on a fresh line reel. Despite poorer visibility than on the previous dive, he soon reached the end of Michal’s line at 113m and decided to carry on. Time was ticking away, so he flicked the scooter up to maximum as the tunnel ahead was roomy and there was no more old line. The depth briefly reached -120m and then rose to -118m. After about 100m of forward progress it was time to turn around.
Belays were scarce – next time he’ll need to bring some silt screws – so after failing to attach a bungee loop to a rock outcrop, and with line floating freely behind him, he decided to turn around and dump the reel. In the process, the line got tangled around his leg. Fortunately he got free quickly and hit the trigger on the scooter again. Composure was regained during the first decompression stop and the remainder of the slow ascent went well. Jim met Adam at -27m, who then went down to have a quick look and then ascended with the scooter and a bailout cylinder. There wasn’t much room in the shaft for two down to -30m. The slow ascent continued and, after a further check by Adam at -6m, surface was finally regained after a total dive time of three hours and 27 minutes.
A new record has been set but there is much still to do in this cave – Artur found a possible parallel shaft in the upper part and the end of the line obviously needs revisiting, this time with two rebreathers and a different equipment plan. But to have pulled off this exploration in three dives at the start of the diving season, especially given the weather conditions normally prevalent, is an impressive feat. The next dive will hopefully be in warmer water later in the season which will make a huge difference in comfort during the long decompression stops.
Jim Warny (with Graham Mullan)
