STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Garda Niall O'Malley playing rugby for Westport
A MAYO Garda is to brave the choppy waters of the wild Atlantic and swim from Roonagh Pier to Clare Island along with a number of other hardy souls to raise money for two charities.
Garda Niall O'Malley, a native of Cleggan in Connemara will take on the wild Atlantic while raising funds for two worthy causes - Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Louisburgh Order of Malta.
The swim is scheduled to depart Roonagh Quay at 8.30am (weather permitting) on August 10 where the participants will make the 5km swim to Clare Island.
A rugby 'legend', GAA player and sailing enthusiast, Niall moved to Louisburgh in 2012 after three years stationed in Ballina as a Garda where he played GAA with Enniscrone. He had previously played GAA with Clifden and rugby in secondary school.
He played GAA with Louisburgh and rugby with Westport when they won the Connaught Cup in 2015 after a 50 year gap before going on to win the league and the Cawley Cup the following year. They followed that up with the Connaught Plate in 2018 and 2020.
Along with being a devoted family man and a local Garda, Niall is a keen kite surfer and can be seen on the beaches around Louisburgh enjoying his adopted community that is excellent for kitesurfing.
“I've always been into sailing both cruising and racing with Westport. Living in Louisburgh is great really as the beaches are brilliant for kite surfing while also a natural playground for rearing a young family,” said the community man who is happy to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Louisburgh Order of Malta.
All funds raised will go directly to the two charities mainly with some funds going to other individual charities also. The organisers are hoping that supporters will come out on the day to celebrate and contribute in any way. Donations can be made through the iDonate page https://www.idonate.ie/event/charityswim24.
People can show support by donating online and also coming out on the day to cheer the swimmers ashore in Clare Island and celebrate. People will congregate in the Community Centre on Clare Island after the swim.
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