WATER Safety Clare (WSC) is working closely with the Irish Coast Guard, the Gardai and other groups to develop an early response support system along the Clare coastline.
The initiative was announced by WSC chairman, Patrick O’Grady at the opening of the new €120,000 Lahinch Rescue and Training Centre, which will be used as a base by volunteers to provide support for community response groups.
Clare LEADER provided a grant of €50,000, another charitable organisation provided €30,000 and the remainder was raised through fundraising.
Procedures are being put in place that adhere to best practice for the safety and training of local volunteers from this new centre.
Since the 1940s, WSC has worked to promote swimming and basic rescue techniques as life skills throughout the county.
“Initial attempts to develop this Lahinch project were made in 1992. Unfortunately, the necessary support was not there to support these early efforts,” Mr O’Grady outlined.
“Fortunately, this changed in recent years, at a time when use of our open water locations and facilities has reached new and unprecedented levels. Participation in open water activities is now year-round.
“I am delighted that volunteers will use this centre for rescues and in the promotion of water safety centre,” Mr O’Grady said.
Rural and Community Development Minister, Heather Humphreys, who performed the official opening, said it is fitting to unveil this new centre as thousands of day trippers and holidaymakers head to Clare for their summer holidays.
“Facilities like this provide a stark reminder of the difficulties people can encounter in the water. I am conscious a community is mourning the loss of Patrick McCarthy, who tragically drowned while swimming in Fanore,” said the minister in Lahinch this week.
“In the space of a few days, we have lost three people from drowning, leaving three families grieving. These events teach us all how precious life is. There are no words we can provide to deal with the devastation that has been brought on these families.
“In each case all our emergency services did what they could do in difficult circumstances. I would like to recognise the extraordinary role played by our Coast Guard, emergency services, lifeguards and volunteers.
“Around 80 lives were lost last year through drowning, which is 80 too many. These numbers would be even higher without the work of Water Safety Clare. We all need to respect the water and follow advice,” she said.
She lauded the work of Clare and Brendan McGrath, Richard Devereux and the late Tomsie O’Sullivan, who handed on the mantle from Lahinch Rescue.
Describing the support of Clare County Council such as John O’Malley and Carmel Kirby and the Lahinch Development Company as immense, Mr O’Grady recalled the positive input of former Leisure Centre manager, Councillor Joe Garrihy was vital in bringing this project to fruition and looked forwarded to working with the new manager and his team.
He thanked the Clare Water Safety Development Officer, Ms Clare McGrath, who continues to be very proactive with regard to water safety within the county.
He paid tribute to LEADER for all its financial support and advice, singling out Agnes O’Shaughnessy for all her help.
He said JADA construction and Tomas McKenna Consulting Engineers have delivered a great centre to such a high standard.
Acknowledging individuals who attended countless meetings with him over a five year-period to complete this project, he praised Brendan McGrath for his vision, work and effort, Tom McEvoy’s consultancy work on the design and building of the centre and their solicitor, Ronan Murphy.
He thanked various WSC committees who spent many hours discussing this project, treasurer, John Hogan and secretary, Jan Hillery for supervising financial protocols, as well as the Coast Guard and the Gardaí for their input on how to make water safety improvements in the area.
The attendance at the opening included county councillors, Clare Oireachtas members, council officials, chairperson of Water Safety Ireland, Clare McGrath and the acting CEO of Water Safety Ireland, Roger Sweeney.
Also present were Clare Life Governors of Water Safety Ireland – Tony Killeen, Liam Griffin and Brendan McGrath while Tony Lynch was unable to attend.
Mr O’Grady acknowledged the presence of members of the former Lahinch Sea Rescue – Richard Devereux, Odhrán O’Looney, Celina O’Sullivan and Jarlath O Looney, who are now active members of Water Safety Clare.
He paid tribute to the water safety work undertaken by the late Tomsie O’Sullivan, Lahinch, and remembered Catriona McMahon, a lifelong energetic member of Water Safety Clare who sadly died on Saturday.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.