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Claddagh fishermen Patrick and Morgan Oliver were honored at a city hall reception in Galway for their heroic rescue of two rowers in August.
Sara Feeney, 23, and Ellen Glynn, 17, were taken to safety by the father-son team after being stranded overnight at sea. The two cousins were also recognized today for their bravery.
The event was strictly controlled in accordance with public health guidelines, but the story that brought joy to the nation made everyone smile again.
Both the families of the fishermen and the young women they rescued in Galway Bay attended the ceremony at Leisureland in Salthill, as well as local dignitaries.
Galway Mayor Mike Cubbard presented the Oliver’s with a framed presentation scroll and a bronze model of a traditional Irish currach honoring their accomplishments in saving the lives of Mrs. Feeney and Mrs. Glynn.
Mr. Cubbard described the Olivers as “Claddagh royalty” and said “the rescue highlights the fantastic community spirit that exists in Galway when hundreds of people across the city and county offered their help with the search operation.” .
It was the story that captivated the nation. Two cousins found alive in front of Inis Oirr 15 hours after they went out to sea The Olives praised the girls for “doing everything right” by sticking together and attaching their paddle boards to the marker buoy on a lobster pot.
Today Ellen said that she was still shaky after her life-changing experience, but that she was deeply grateful to the Oliver’s, the rescue services, and the volunteers who came out to find her and Sara.
Helen Feeney, Sara’s mother, said it was a profound experience that is difficult to process and articulate, but that getting her daughter back is all that matters. She said she doesn’t need anything else.
Johnny Glynn, Ellen’s father expressed his gratitude to the Olivers and the support of the community during their traumatic experience.
Ellen and Sara received small jewelry gifts in recognition of their bravery.
Both father and son received international praise for their remarkable knowledge in determining the location of paddle surfers using information on tides and weather.
Afloat magazine described the rescue as “brilliant” and said Patrick and Morgan Oliver had shown “detailed calculations of navigation, sea and wind at the genius level.”
Today was all about celebrating the Oliver’s, but it also served to highlight the role of the fishing community in search and rescue missions across the country.
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