Kinvara Swimming & Lifesaving Club is so proud of its long tradition of volunteerism and we’re delighted to announce that Irish Water Safety recently awarded many of our coaches, past and present, with Long Service Awards for their enormous commitment to the club over the years. Long Service Awards are presented in recognition of a voluntary commitment to promoting a public awareness of water safety and rescue based on the humanitarian goal of saving life.
This national celebration which took place in Dublin Castle, brought together Irish Water Safety volunteers, members, rescue heroes and a multitude of groups and supporting stakeholders throughout the country who work diligently to provide water safety services to our families, our friends and our communities. Our volunteers selflessly dedicate their time and skills to teach the children and young people of Kinvara and the surrounding areas swimming and lifesaving skills.
At the ceremony Water Safety Ireland extended a sincere debt of gratitude to the following volunteers from Kinvara Swimming & Lifesaving Club:
- Stan MacEoin for 50 years service award
- Bridie Giles 40 for years service award
- Eleanor Burke for 20 years service award
- Clare McGinty Ryan for 10 years service award
- David Kelly for 10 years service award
- Amanda Browne for 10 year service award
Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media paid tribute the IWS Award Recipients saying:
It is an honour to pay tribute to the courageous and deserving award recipients being recognised at Water Safety Ireland’s National Awards Ceremony. I want to commend the valiant efforts of these individuals who save others from drowning and to also pay tribute to the ongoing work of Water Safety Ireland volunteers who teach swimming and water rescue skills. I know that among the other recipients to receive awards, are 101 volunteers who will be presented with Long-Service Volunteer Awards, recognising a combined total of 2,040 years of personal voluntary service teaching swimming, water rescue and survival skills in communities nationwide. That is a remarkable achievement and I want to commend every volunteer who devotes their spare time to making our waters safer.’
Congratulations to all the awardees on their mighty achievement and continued commitment to our club.