‘Man of the Year’ honour after Paddy’s ‘ducking and driving’

AN 82-year-old Arranmore man who has been ‘ducking and driving’ around Ireland to raise money for important causes has been named ‘Man of the Year’ by World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) 2022.
Paddy Conaghan has been honoured with first place (Gold) having swam around Ireland, raising almost €110,000, for Burtonport counselling services, Gemma’s Legacy of Hope. Paddy poignantly started and ended his swim on Arranmore Island, swimming more than 300 times during the stage swim.
The WOWSA Awards in San Francisco celebrates exceptional individuals, events, products, and services.
The WOWSA Awards, an annual recognition of excellence in open water swimming, announced the winners of the 2022 awards across six categories: Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Performance of the Year, Para Performance of the Year, Event of the Year, and Product or Service of the Year.
The awards celebrate individuals and offerings that embody the spirit of open water swimming and have positively impacted the community, showcasing their determination, fortitude, and sense of adventure.
The Donegal man took on the nippy waters of West Cork last year in his first ‘ducking and driving’ charity challenge, and he’s back out for the second January in a row.
He is currently ‘making waves’ for five charities; Accessible Counselling Tullamore, Lisheens House West Cork Suicide Prevention Service, RNLI, Mindspace Mayo, PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland.
He picked a mental health charity from each province as a way of giving back to all people nationwide for their support.