Two from Clare awarded for saving young boy & his uncle from drowning
TWO MEN from Clare, who saved a young boy and his uncle from drowning, were recognised nationally for their bravery.
26 National Bravery Awards were presented to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.
Darren Byrnes and Ian Bolger attempted to rescue a man and a child from the sea at Doonbeg in August, 2022. They were on the beach and had observed a young boy and his uncle in difficulty in the sea at Doughmore Beach.
Darren and Ian entered the water and swam in the direction of the pair. Although they reached the struggling man and child, they were forced to abandon their efforts as they were in serious difficulty themselves. The boy’s uncle managed to get himself to safety and the boy managed to tread water until he was rescued by the Coast Guard helicopter.
The ceremony that took place this Friday, November 10, at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, brought recipients together to receive certificates, six bronze medals and 13 silver medal and one gold medal award. The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD presented recipients on the day.
“The Irish State recognises and celebrates the noblest impulse in a human being, the impulse to risk our lives in order to save someone else’s. But just as importantly, what these awards also do is mark the importance of the lives that were saved and also those that were lost,” said the Ceann Comhairle.
“I say this because in several instances, we are making awards where, in spite of brave actions and valiant efforts, lives were tragically lost. Those involved in these attempts know how hard they struggled, the families of those lost appreciate their efforts as do we, the Irish nation.”
The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded 76 years ago in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional acts of bravery.
The Council is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork, the Garda Commissioner, the President of the Association of City & County Councils, and the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross.
Recipients from Wexford, Kildare, Laois, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, Meath, Wicklow, Donegal and Dublin were among those honoured at the ceremony in Farmleigh House, for acts of courage.