A LIFFORD woman with deep roots in both local sport and heritage has made a special appearance in the latest Guinness campaign, which carries a remarkable family connection that stretches back more than two centuries.
Esther Jean Cullen, well-known throughout Donegal for her work as a swimming instructor trainer, is the driving force behind Donegal Leisure Training based in Magherabeg.
She has helped shape generations of lifeguards, swimming teachers, disability swim teachers and aqua-aerobics instructors from across Donegal, Ireland and the UK.
Alongside her very busy swimming career, she also takes on occasional acting roles.
But her most recent on-screen appearance came with an unexpected twist as it honours none other than her great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Arthur Guinness.
Alongside her very busy swimming career, she also takes on occasional acting roles.
Esther features in the company’s new “Lovely Day for a Guinness” campaign, advertising their merchandise, including swimsuits and dry robes.
A direct descendant of the famous brewer through her mother’s line, her family history was meticulously documented by her late father, Eddie O’Kane, a former president of the Donegal Historical Society.
The O’Kane family home, Cavanacor House in Ballindrait, just one kilometre outside Lifford toward Letterkenny, has also long served as a centre of local heritage and culture.
Renowned swim teacher, Esther Jean Cullen featured in the recent “Lovely Day for a Guinness” campaign.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Esther said she often joked about one day doing something for Guinness. So when the company announced a casting call for open-water swimmers, she decided to apply.
“I got the part, which was wonderful,” she said. “But I never mentioned the connection.”
It wasn’t until filming was underway that she casually told the director she was a descendant of Arthur Guinness.
“He turned around and said, ‘Does that mean we have to pay you more?’” she laughed.
“I think if I had mentioned it at the start, I might not have got the part!”
Esther said she was delighted to take part in the campaign, not for personal recognition but as a quiet nod to her family’s roots.
“I’m sure there are hundreds of us,” she joked, “but it’s lovely to do something connected to that history.”
She is also training disability swim teachers.
In her day-to-day work in aquatic training, Esther remains deeply committed to continuing to shape lives and educate people across Donegal and beyond.
One of her students, Declan Meehan from Gortahork, who is currently training to become a lifeguard, made headlines when he saved the life of a 12-year-old boy who got into difficulty while swimming at Bunaninver pier last August.
His heroic act was especially powerful as Declan himself has limited mobility in his left side due to a brain bleed when he was a young child.
She beamed with pride as she spoke about his achievements, which included becoming the 13th recipient of the prestigious Swimming Teachers Association Roll of Honour award.
This is the highest accolade presented by the national swimming and lifesaving charity.
She is also training a whole wave of disability swim teachers from across the country to ensure swimming is more inclusive.
Looking ahead, Esther’s long-term goal is to establish a purpose-built, dedicated disability swimming pool in the county.
She wants to build an all-purpose facility, fully equipped with sensory supports and accessible features, if she can get the vital funding required.
