Clare woman will bring practical experience to water safety role

Immersed in water safety for decades, Clare McGrath has been appointed by Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys as as the new Chair of Water Safety Ireland (WSI), which works to prevent drownings.
Ms McGrath received a thirty-year Long Service Award at the WSI National Awards Ceremony in November for her voluntary efforts as an instructor, examiner and tutor.
As a current member of the WSI Council, she has helped to develop a National Drowning Prevention Strategy.
During her term as Chair of the WSI Sports Commission, she has played a key role in developing Lifesaving Sport in which participation levels are at an all-time high.
Ms McGrath has been a lifelong advocate for drowning prevention. In addition to volunteering with WSI and serving on the WSI Council, she is the Water Safety Development Officer with Clare County Council since 2014, and also works as a staff officer.
Currently the Chair of the Federation of Irish Sport, and the former Chair of Swim Ireland, Ms McGrath has a particular penchant for teaching the Water Safety Ireland Lifeguarding and Lifesaving Sport syllabus through which a corps of lifeguards is educated so that waterways and pools have competent cover to protect the public.
Having learned to swim as an eight year-old, she swam in the West County pool and Ennis pool as a member of Ennis Swimming Club where her father, John Murphy was very heavily involved in running the club for a long time.
The former Coláiste Mhuire student won a national schools lifesaving competition aged 16 and a became one of the first female lifeguards in Lahinch pool and beach a year later.
In an interview with The Clare Champion, she said she was honoured to be asked to take on his new role and believes her practical experience and knowledge will be beneficial.
“The objective of WSI is to prevent drowning. This can be done through education, lifeguarding, public awareness and helping organisations involved in suicide prevention.
“You have to know what the bottom line is and how you can help people. There is a serious number of volunteers involved in water safety who do the groundwork for what is done. Volunteers are the backbone of the WSI.
“Being practically involved helps me with all the core work. People know I am part of it.”
She said it is great that more people are swimming outdoors throughout the year once they follow basic safety advice by not swimming alone and staying warm.
“My objective is to bring drownings down by promoting the necessary rescue skills, attitudes and behaviours that will prevent drownings and water related accidents. I very much look forward to working with the WSI Council and engaging it’s commissions, our thirty Water Safety Area Committees nationwide and the members, local authorities, and other agencies to develop policies and projects that help encourage more participation and engagement at all levels.
Over the next five years, as chairperson I look forward to providing leadership to the council in the continued delivery of Ireland’s National Drowning Prevention Strategy 2018-2027, and the strategic development of te organisation.”
Born and raised near the Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis, she has lived in Clarecastle since 1984.
She appreciates the support Clare County Council has given her to fulfil her commitments on other outside bodies.
Minister Humphreys said Clare brings a wealth of experience as a lifelong member of Water Safety Ireland and Swim Ireland.
“WSI is an organisation with a rich history of volunteerism and is deeply committed to these volunteers who teach swimming, lifesaving and promote drowning prevention initiatives nationwide.”

by Dan Danaher