For the members of Atlantic Masters Swimming Club, open water is much more than a place to train.
It is where friendships are formed, confidence is built and personal limits are tested. It is also a shared community resource — one that deserves respect, care and the support of the voluntary organisations that respond when people go missing or families need help.
That connection between swimmers, the sea and local voluntary services has been brought powerfully to life through three recent fundraising campaigns undertaken by Atlantic Masters members Oonagh Morrissy, Valerie Kelly and Matt McGarrigle.
Together, the three campaigns raised an outstanding €11,900. As Matt’s fundraiser was divided equally between two charities, the total amount being allocated specifically to the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit — OMCSU — is €9,367.50.
The figures are impressive, but the story behind them is greater still. It is a story of individual determination, generous donors, a supportive swimming community and a club whose commitment to giving back extends far beyond training sessions, race results and finishing times.
Three swimmers, one shared purpose
Each fundraiser began with a personal swimming challenge.
Each swimmer brought together their own network of family members, friends, colleagues, clubmates and supporters. Together, their efforts have delivered a significant contribution to OMCSU and raised valuable awareness of the work undertaken by its volunteers.
- Oonagh Morrissy:
- Valerie Kelly:
- Matt McGarrigle:
- Total allocated directly to OMCSU: €9,367.50.
Oonagh Morrissy: supporting OMCSU on land and in the water
For Oonagh Morrissy, the connection to OMCSU is especially personal.
Oonagh is both a member of Atlantic Masters and a volunteer with OMCSU. She understands first-hand that the work of a search unit begins long before volunteers are called to a shoreline.
Search readiness depends on regular training, properly maintained equipment, dependable boats and vehicles, effective communications, suitable protective clothing and the ability to support search volunteers and families during what can be long and difficult operations.
Through her OMCSU Fundraising Swim, Oonagh raised €5,075, the largest individual contribution to OMCSU among these three campaigns.
There is something particularly meaningful about a volunteer taking on a major personal challenge for an organisation to which she already gives her time.
Oonagh’s contribution brings together two different forms of commitment: the discipline required to prepare for an open-water swimming challenge and the dedication required to train and remain available as a search volunteer.
Her fundraiser did more than generate an outstanding financial result. It also helped people understand the work that takes place behind the scenes to ensure OMCSU is ready when called upon.
A search request can come without warning.
Readiness cannot.
Oonagh knows the people, training and resources behind that readiness. By choosing OMCSU as the beneficiary of her challenge, she invited her wider community to become part of that work.
Valerie Kelly: turning a personal goal into community support
Fellow Atlantic Masters member Valerie Kelly also placed OMCSU at the heart of her swimming challenge, raising €1,760 for the unit.
What makes Valerie’s achievement particularly remarkable is how recently her own swimming journey began.
She only took up swimming three years ago and joined Atlantic Masters two years ago after attending a couple of the club’s social swims as a complete newcomer. At the time, she was preparing for a Galway Bay relay without really knowing how to approach open-water training.
Valerie later recalled that in May 2024, a friend brought her out to the 100-metre buoy and back and she was not yet comfortable even putting her face in the water.
From that starting point, her progress has been extraordinary.
She credits the people around Atlantic Masters with playing a major role in that transformation — through social swims, training sessions, advice, encouragement and the friendships that developed along the way.
In a message of thanks to the club after completing her challenge, Valerie described those experiences as “literally life changing” and Atlantic Masters as “a truly magical club.”
She singled out Oonagh Morrissy for encouraging her to join, Brian Desmond for his patience in helping her learn how to breathe while swimming, Seamus Higgins for pushing her towards completing the Bay, and Emma Walshe for helping turn ambitious swimming goals into reality.
But Valerie was also clear that her gratitude extended far beyond those individuals.
She thanked the entire club for the guidance, encouragement and friendship she received from the moment she arrived as a beginner.
Her story therefore says something important about both the swimmer and the community around her.Two years ago, she arrived at Atlantic Masters as a newcomer. Today, she has taken on a significant personal challenge and used it to raise €1,760 for OMCSU.
Matt McGarrigle: one major challenge supporting two charities
Matt McGarrigle placed one of Ireland’s most recognisable maritime landmarks at the centre of his fundraising effort through the Baltimore to Fastnet Lighthouse Swim.
Matt raised an exceptional €5,065 in total. His fundraiser supported two charities equally, meaning OMCSU’s half-share is €2,532.50.
That distinction is important. While the full value of Matt’s campaign was €5,065, the amount being contributed directly to OMCSU is half of that total.
By dividing the proceeds, Matt was able to use one major personal challenge to support two worthwhile organisations.
The scale and setting of the Fastnet challenge also carried OMCSU’s story well beyond its immediate area of operation. It strengthened the connection between the wider open-water swimming community and the voluntary organisations that support coastal communities.
Matt’s achievement demonstrates that charitable impact does not need to be limited to one cause or one location. A swimmer can bring communities together, share support between organisations and use a highly demanding challenge to create several positive outcomes.
For OMCSU, Matt’s contribution of €2,532.50 represents a substantial and deeply appreciated investment in the unit’s continued readiness.
