Tag Archives: clare water safety

A SURFER who rescued a swimmer caught off the Clare shore by a rip current and an Ennis lifeguard named Volunteer of the Year were among those honoured at Water Safety Ireland’s national awards. Patrick Gordon’s quick actions saved the life of a man in difficulty at Spanish Point last summer. He received a SEIKO Just In Time Awards and Rescue Appreciation Award at the annual ceremony which was held online. Last July, Patrick was out surfing in strong winds with a friend at Spanish Point. They heard a swimmer shouting for help after getting pulled from shore by a rip current. He immediately paddled towards the swimmer and told his friend to make for shore to get help. Patrick took his friend’s board, reached the exhausted swimmer, and got him to hold onto the board until he regained his breath and was able to make it safely back to shore. Also honoured on the night was Sinead Mortell from …

A man and young child were rescued from the sea at Fanore in North Clare over the Bank Holiday weekend. It’s understood the pair were caught in a rip current and got into difficulty. According to one eyewitness, a person on a paddle board saw that they were in trouble and went to their aid. In the meantime, a lifeguard on duty at beach at the time also observed the swimmers were in difficulty and jumped into action. The paddleboarder quickly reached the swimmers who grabbed onto the board. The lifeguard swam out to the pair and helped bring them safely ashore. It’s understood they were shaken but otherwise unharmed and did not require medical attention. The eyewitness said: “It all happened very quickly. The paddle boarder got to the man and child quickly and the lifeguard swam out in her t-shirt. The rip in Fanore is as bad as I’ve seen anywhere. It can be very deceiving and dangerous.” …

Ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland are appealing for people to take care when they are on or near the water. With many people continuing to enjoy the summer holidays or planning a break this weekend, the organisations are asking people to be particularly mindful to check weather forecasts and tide times before venturing out and if planning on entering the sea to know how to spot and safely handle a rip current. If planning other activities such as paddleboarding, the ask is to always go prepared so the water can be enjoyed safely. Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting in Met Éireann says: ‘While there will be some warm sunny spells the weather will be mixed this weekend. For a detailed forecast for 10-days ahead for over 1,000 locations around Ireland including the beaches, lakes and mountains go to www.met.ie’. If heading out on the water or visiting the coast: …

Volunteers honoured for contribution as foundations laid for Lahinch Rescue and Training Centre FOUR volunteers were honoured for their selfless contribution to water safety and life saving in Lahinch. Tomsie O’Sullivan, Odran O’Looney, Jarlath O’Looney and Richard Devereux have each committed much of their lives to voluntary water safety functions in the west Clare resort. They formed the Lahinch Search & Rescue Unit, fundraised, promoted water safety, and spent many hours on search and rescue missions in the Liscannor Bay area. On disbanding the Lahinch Search and Recovery company in 2018 they donated their existing equipment, including a rescue jetski to their successors, Water Safety Clare. These four gentlemen also became members of Water Safety Clare – a countywide voluntary life saving organisation since the 1930s – which continues to promote and develop the excellent work already started in the Lahinch area. Appropriately, Tomsie, Odran, Jarlath and Richard were invited to a ceremony to witness the foundation being laid for …