Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Monday 17°CTuesday 17°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Lead StoriesNews

Paddy returns to a hero’s welcome as he raises more than €104K!

written by Staff Writer February 12, 2022
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

An 81-year-old Donegal man has completed a marathon swim around Ireland and raised more than €100,000 for charity.

Paddy Conaghan even had to learn how to swim again after staying out of the water for more than 60 years!

However, he returned to his native Arranmore Island today (SAT) to a hero’s welcome after an amazing journey which started last December.

Father-of-four Paddy undertook his ‘Ducking and Diving for ‘Gemma’s Legacy of Hope’, a counselling service in honour of Burtonport woman Gemma Boyle who died in February, 2020.

Traveling in his specially adapted van, Paddy called into ports and piers all over Ireland popping out to swim for a few minutes here and there.

Paddy completed a total of 300 swims since he left Arranmore on December 4th with his record being 12 dips in the same day in the Rosses.

He lost hearing aids along the way and when his van broke down in Kerry, the local Arranmore Blue Ferry owners sponsored him a new van to complete his mission.

All the time the former coal miner, who left his native Donegal to work in Scotland aged just 16, was raising awareness of his charity caper.

Hundreds of people turned out on the pier for Paddy’s return with night of music and dance planned for the island’s community centre.

Paddy never put a figure on what he hoped his adventure might raise for the local charity.

But not even the chatty octogenarian dreamt he would raise so much cash as his fund stood at more than €104,400 and rising!

Despite missing his 81st birthday and Christmas, Paddy plans to make up for his lost celebrations.

He was delighted when two of his sons, Shaun and Dermot, returned from working in London and Scotland last week to surprise him on his travels.

Fresh from competing his final dip on Arranmore Island, Paddy told Donegal Daily that he was already getting restless again.

“It’s great to be home and the welcome has been amazing. I never thought so many people would turn out.

“But to be honest I’m sure I’ll be getting restless again soon and I’ll have to plan another adventure,” he said.

Despite the cold and the rain, Paddy says he plans to continue to swim everyday.

“Sure it’s good for the body, the mind and the soul,” he laughed.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so on https://www.gofundme.com/f/ducking-driving-for-gemmas-legacy-of-hope

 

Paddy returns to a hero’s welcome as he raises more than €104K! was last modified: February 14th, 2022 by Staff Writer
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint
Staff Writer

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Breaking: Young Donegal father tragically killed in...

6 hours ago

Fine weather to return next week as...

10 hours ago

Seamus Coleman pays respects to Diogo Jota...

12 hours ago

Glenswilly GAA hosting Clubhouse Beats teen disco...

12 hours ago

Ghost is Donegal’s dog in the 2025...

13 hours ago

€1,000 college fees hike a “suckerpunch” for...

14 hours ago

Charles Ward opens first 100% Redress Party...

16 hours ago

Falcarragh Summer Cup launch new memorial cup...

18 hours ago

Letterkenny drug-driver put off the road

18 hours ago

Stunning response to community fundraiser for tragic...

19 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.