Paddy Conaghan swapped Christmas at home to take on the mammoth two-month challenge of swimming at almost every beach and pier in the country.

The father-of-four set off from Aphort beach at the beginning of December ‘Ducking and Driving for Gemma’s Legacy of Hope’ in memory of Gemma Boyle. The Burtonport woman died suddenly in February 2020.

The Donegal News caught up with the remarkable man yesterday on Dunfanaghy beach as he prepared to embrace icy cold waters once again.

“Everything has gone according to plan,” he said. “I finish up on Saturday in Arranmore where I started.”

Paddy admitted the cold weather of late has been problematic.

“It’s has been tough in the last week with the weather. It wasn’t too bad down the south of the country, it was a good enough winter down there but it has been much colder in Donegal.”

Paddy only recently learned to swim again in earnest having not swam in six decades. But now he’s driving along the Atlantic Coast in his small van, getting in quick sea swims in as many stops as possible every day.

For Paddy, his stamina comes from having worked as a coal miner in Scotland when he was 16, before moving to Wales where he continued his work in coal mines.

“I have a plan for what I do all the time. I go into the water, take a dive and I spend about 15 or 20 seconds in the water swimming. I can hardly swim at all. I can only swim about 50 yards. I had to relearn last summer because I haven’t swam in about 60 years. I started training for this last new year and I learned a bit of diving in the summer.”

Paddy said he has been taken aback by the generosity and support of the public.

“I never expected to raise as much as I did. If the money I have raised helps others, then why not?”

As with all adventures, not everything went smoothly all the time. Paddy’s van broke down in Kerry and he had to scrap it, but he was able to continue on the road once again after someone came to his aid with another van. He also lost a number of hearing aids.

While the adventure began as a fundraiser, Paddy said he has enjoyed it so much that he is going to continue swimming.

“I won’t be putting my feet up after Saturday, I’ll be going for a dip every day after this. I’ll keep going, it’s good for the body. It has helped me mentally and physically. I had a good laugh and lots of jokes along the way.”

Paddy missed out on celebrating Christmas and his 81st birthday, but he is looking forward to a celebration at Burtonport pier tomorrow afternoon.

All along his journey, Paddy has been joined by strangers who have taken a dip with him, bought him a cup of tea afterwards or simply cheered him on. Yesterday was no exception.

Carer Doreen Sayers, Ballymore, had just finished night shift and came along to Dunfanaghy beach to take a dip in the water to support Paddy along with her friend, Marian McDaid.

“He’s just incredible, we wanted to come along to show our support,” said Doreen.

“I went out to Downings yesterday to see him too.”

Paddy was also supported in the water yesterday by Noel Brennan and Hugh Gallagher.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so via www.gofundme.com – ducking-driving-for-gemmas-legacy-of-hope