All About Cork: Carrigaline man among bravery award winners

The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, recently presented 23 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.

Among the recipients were Peruvian national and Carrigaline resident Carlos Amaya who runs Garretstown-based Pukana Surf Adventures and Aaron O’Callaghan, who were each awarded a bronze medal and certificate of bravery for their actions at Garretstown Beach, Kinsale, on March 17 last.

The drama unfolded when a riptide took hold of a father and his two teenage children about 200 metres from the shoreline.

Aaron had been surfing at the beach, taking advantage of the good swells and big waves, when he heard screaming coming from the beach.

Out in the water, the man and his two children were barely able to keep their heads above water after being caught in the unforgiving riptide.

As Aaron started paddling towards them Carlos, who had just finished giving a surf lesson, also heard the shouting and plunged straight into the water with his board to come to their aid.

Having fought through the current, Aaron arrived at the stricken family first.

At this stage the freezing water and their struggle to combat the pull out of the rip had taken its toll on the group but Aaron managed to keep hold of them and kept them afloat using his board. Tired and cold, they were desperately struggling by the time Carlos arrived at the scene.

Aaron then took the father on his surfboard and Carlos took the children on his. Both Carlos and Aaron then swam alongside, pushing the family safely to shore through the water.

Reporting Gardaí noted that if the two men had not reacted the way they did, there could have been an unthinkable tragedy.

Among the other award winners from Cork was 15-year-old David Akar, who was recognised for the rescue and attempted rescue of two friends from the sea at age West in August 2023. The teen, who was just shy of his 14th birthday, safely rescued one boy, and attempted to recover another, after a strong current had pulled them away from their group while swimming.

Despite his efforts, the second boy, Jack O’Sullivan, 14, lost his life — but for his valiant actions, Mr Akar was awarded both a gold medal and a certificate of bravery.

“I’m honoured, I’m delighted to be able to say I dedicate this award to Jack O’Sullivan and his family,” said Mr Akar, speaking to The Echo following the awards ceremony.

Other Cork winners included Garda Joseph O’Reilly and Garda Denis Cronin, who each received a bronze medal and certificate of bravery for rescuing a man from a burning building in Knocknaheeney.

Walter Murphy and brothers Oleg and Veaceslav Coronciuc were each awarded a bronze medal and certificate of bravery for rescuing two men from an out-of-control car, preventing a potentially serious road traffic incident on the South Ring Road.

Garda Conor Lucey from Cork and three colleagues were awarded certificates of bravery for intervening to prevent a man from setting himself on fire at the Quays, Waterford.

Congratulating all of the recipients, the Ceann Comhairle said the awards “celebrate people who have made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous and whose actions speak to the very best and noblest of impulses.

“This singular day marks moments where self-preservation was cast aside by our brave recipients as they risked their lives to help someone else.”

“These moments matter, because in many cases, lives were saved that would have been lost. They matter because even when people were lost, in some of the awful tragedies we today, those people were not alone. They would have known and their families know, that someone was with them, someone was bravely and desperately trying to save them, to bring them home.”

Lions Club to commemorate deceased

Carrigaline Lions Club is organising a special tree-planting day to commemorate its deceased on Saturday, November 23.

The Lions Club, in association with the Carrigaline Singers, is also promoting the Celine Byrne concert which will take place in Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thursday, December 12.

It is coming near the time of year when the Lions Club launches its annual Christmas food appeal. Last year, the Lions delivered 200 food hampers to needy families in Carrigaline and ading parishes.

Pipe band to celebrate 80th

Carrigaline Pipe Band is planning to celebrate its 80th year as a civilian band in 2026. It started as an LDF Pipe Band in 1942 and became a civilian band in 1946.

In the year ahead, the band, which bought a new set of chanters this year, intends to buy a complete set of new drums and extra uniforms for new .

The band will hold a fundraising day in SuperValu tomorrow.

Practice continues every Thursday at 7pm in the Band Hall.

New are always welcome; enquiries to Paddy O’Connell on 087 968 5833.

Aifreann trí Gaeilge

Bhí Aifreann an mí seo trí Gaeilge á chéiliúradh ag an Moinsíneoir Aodhán Ó Drisceóil ar an Domhnach seo caite 10ú Samhain. Léigh Éamonn Ó Cearnaigh na léachtaí agus chan Róisín Ní Nuanáin an Salm. Léigh daltaí ón nGaelscoil Guí an Phobal. Chan an Cór Gaeilge iomainn oiriúnach faoi stiúradh Aisling Allan, tionlacan le Hugh Courtney, agus sheinn an Grúpa Cheoil ceol binn.

Céilí dancing

Lovers of céilí dancing enjoyed the craic at the Céilí Club in the Band Hall last Saturday night. The Céilí Club will meet again on Saturday, December 14, when dancers can choose their rig-out for the Carrigaline Wren Boys Street Festival which will take place on St Stephen’s Day, December 26.

Scór na nÓg final

The South East final of Scór na nÓg will take place in Riverstick Hall tomorrow at 2pm.

This competition is open to talented musicians, singers, figure and set dance teams, and recitation who were under 17 years on January 1, 2024.

Floral Christmas demo

Owenabue Garden and Flower Club will host a floral Christmas demonstration by Chris Bailey, including its Christmas supper, raffle, plant and produce sales table on Monday, November 25, at 8pm in St Mary’s NS, Waterpark, Carrigaline.

All are welcome, €10 entry for all will be donated to the AOIFA charity of the year AsIAm — Ireland’s autism charity.