Arranmore man (80s) to duck and dive around Wales in memory of his late daughter

An Arranmore man in his eighties will duck and dive his way alongside the coastline of Wales for charity and in memory of his late daughter.

Paddy Conaghan, who will turn 84 in January, won the World Open Water Swimming Association Man of the Year Award in 2023.

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He was nominated for his round-Ireland challenge, which saw him swim at as many piers and beaches as possible as he drove around the Irish coast starting in December 2021 and finishing in February of the following year.

Afterwards, he did the same challenge, only travelling clockwise around Ireland rather than anticlockwise.

Starting this Sunday, November 30, he will take on Wales. Paddy started these challenges following the death of his daughter, Angela Evans, in September 2020. 

Angela lived in Wales with her husband Andy and two children, but sadly lost her battle with cancer. Paddy has chosen Marie Curie as his charity this year as a tribute to the district nurses who helped his daughter through the most difficult time. There is a JustGiving page titled Ducking and Diving for Angela's Legacy in Aid of Marie Curie, for people to make donations.

“Dad started these challenges following the death of our sister Angela,” Paddy’s daughter Sinead posted on the fundraising page.

“His first outing was around Ireland, which gathered an enormous following at home in Ireland and around the world. He continued the following year in the opposite direction. Following that, he began swimming the lakes and waterfalls of Ireland, but due to car issues, the rest of this challenge has been postponed until a later date. This year, he has chosen to duck and dive the coastline of Wales in memory of our sister Angela. 

“The concept is quite simple: swim from as many beaches or harbours as possible each day. However, he will be swimming all through the winter, sleeping in his van at the tender age of 83 with an estimated finish time in March 2026!! This is a privately funded challenge and all proceeds will go directly to Marie Curie through this giving page.

“Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Whatever the illness, wherever you are, we’re with you to the end. We bring 75 years of experience and leading research to the care we give you at home, in our hospices and over the phone. And we push for a better end of life for all by campaigning and sharing research to change the system. Marie Curie is a charity working across the UK and we need your support to do our vital work.”