This week, Irish endurance swimmer Daragh Morgan became the first person to swim around Ireland.
The unprecedented 1,468-kilometre swim that took the Galway man five months to complete raised €27,000 in vital funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Simon Community.
Beginning in May and finishing in November, Morgan spent 338 hours in the water, covering an average of 15km per day and swimming for approximately four hours daily across 99 separate swims over 93 days.
Daragh Morgan.
The idea for the project first emerged six years ago, and after extensive training, logistics, and planning, it finally became a reality in 2025.
A key element of the expedition’s success was the support fleet, with the primary vessel being Naomh Crónán, a traditional 43ft Galway Hooker provided by Badóirí an Chladaigh.
Across the journey, the team managed three boats, ensuring Daragh’s safety, navigation, and daily operational needs.
The expedition was captained by Dara Bailey, from Leitir Mór in Galway.
“Without Dara, none of this would have been possible,” Morgan said. “His knowledge of the coastline, seamanship, and calm leadership kept us going through the toughest days.”
Despite facing freezing waters, relentless jellyfish stings, severe chafing, and multiple injuries, Morgan pushed through to complete the circumnavigation.
Notably, the swim was achieved without major corporate sponsorship, relying instead on community support and small-scale fundraising to keep the project afloat.
The extraordinary feat aims to raise funds for the RNLI, acknowledging the organisation’s life-saving work along Ireland’s coasts.
Daragh is now looking forward to celebrating his amazing achievement with the people of Galway at his homecoming, which takes place in Galway Docks at 4:30 pm this Saturday, November 22. Daragh and the team have extended an invitation to all to attend.
The team encourages the public to continue supporting the fundraiser online here.
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