Dara O’Malley-Daly, who has died after a short illness at the age of 63, was station officer with Malin Head Coast Guard who combined his passion for the sea, swimming and surfing with development of water safety. His Irish Coast Guard colleagues, including air crew with the Rescue 118 helicopter in Sligo, members of Water Safety Ireland (WSI) and volunteers with the RNLI Lough Swilly lifeboat station, are among those who have paid tribute to him. “His contribution has been so immense that it is almost impossible to describe,” Irish Surfing’s development officer Zoe Lally said. He was born in London to Anthony O’Malley-Daly, a marine radio officer, and Mary Hanna of the Hanna Hats family from Donegal. The couple returned home and settled in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, where he went to the De La Salle national and secondary schools.
His mother was a swimming teacher, so winters were spent with his three siblings in the town’s pool while summers were on Rossnowlagh Beach — where he trained as a lifeguard while still a teenager. He opted for a career as a marine radio officer, like his father, and studied at Atlantic College in Dublin and Kevin Street College (now part of TU Dublin). He went to sea in 1985, joining Quadrant Marine Services in London and travelling the world. A passionate waterman who helped to forge links between surfing, swimming, lifeguarding and the Irish Coast Guard While at home in Ballyshannon, he had met Mairead Finn, who worked with Allied Irish Banks, and the couple married and reared two sons, Oisin and Eoin. On Eoin’s birth, in 1994, Dara decided to come ashore and took up a post with Barry Electronics in Killybegs.
O’Malley-Daly’s career path was not linear. He took on various roles, including a stint as a radio operator for the Irish Navy, and later, a position as a commercial fisherman. He also worked as a mechanic and a carpenter, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability. His journey was marked by a strong sense of community and a deep connection to the sea.
He was known for his calm demeanor and ability to remain focused even under pressure. He was also a strong advocate for the development of lifeguard training programs and believed that these programs should be accessible to all. This individual’s dedication to water safety was evident in his actions.
The tow-surfers were accused of being reckless and endangering lives. The media coverage was widely criticized for its sensationalism and lack of context. The tow-surfers, however, were able to defend themselves by using their expertise and knowledge of the situation to explain their actions. They were able to demonstrate that their actions were not reckless but rather a form of controlled and safe recreation.
This swim was a significant achievement, as it was the longest open water swim in Ireland. The swim took place in challenging conditions, with strong currents and rough seas. Despite these difficulties, the two swimmers persevered and completed the swim successfully.
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