RIP: Carrick-on-Shannon woman remembered after tragic Donegal swimming accident

Tributes have been pouring in following the tragic death of Máire Murray, a woman in her 50s who passed away after getting into difficulty while swimming at An Trá Bheag (The Wee Beach) in Glencolmcille, south-west Donegal, last Friday evening.

Originally from Harold’s Cross, Dublin, Máire had been living on the Croghan Road in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Roscommon, and was a much-loved figure in both communities.

A chief pharmacist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, Máire had just completed a week-long Irish language course at Oideas Gael in Glencolmcille — a place she had been visiting regularly for the past 20 years. She had gone for one final swim when the tragedy occurred.

Despite the heroic efforts of a local man and an emergency airlift to Sligo University Hospital, Ms Murray was later pronounced dead.

Former President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin were among those who paid heartfelt tribute online. “She was a sister student at Oideas Gael and so happy to be there, as were we all, until that fateful Friday when the sea took her so cruelly as she took her last swim of the week,” they wrote.

“It could so easily have been any one of us, for the beach is so beautiful and so tempting despite its occasional dangers.

“The fantastic rescue teams by air, sea and land along with the comforting help of the local community and staff at Oideas Gael and the folk village will stay long in the memory of all who were there.

“And Máire will be remembered with great fondness and grief too. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.”

Máire is predeceased by her parents Joe and Nancy and sister-in-law Sylvia. She is deeply mourned by her sister Catherine (Kate); brothers Tomás (USA) and Kevin (Cork); sister-in-law Allie; nephew Tom, nieces Anna, Alice and Lily; her extended family, neighbours, a wide circle of friends, and colleagues at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Her funeral Mass will take place on Friday, August 8th, at 12 noon in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, followed by cremation at Mount Jerome Crematorium.

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