
Patrolling Galway’s Waterways

WHO WE ARE
Claddagh Watch Patrol is a registered charity that was founded in 2019, following four tragic water-related deaths in Galway within the space of a single week. Our mission is a simple but important one: to create a safer environment around Galway city’s waterways through volunteer patrols and awareness. We aim to reduce the number of deaths caused, whether through suicide or by accident, on the waters of Galway. Our team is dedicated to their work, and they are committed to improving the level of water safety across the city.
OUR JOURNEY
OUR MISSION
In 2019, in the aftermath of four tragic deaths on our waterways, a group of people decided that something should be done to help avoid further fatalities like them. A public meeting was called in February of that year – from there, a committee was set up and the first patrol took place on July 5th, 2019. The speed at which Claddagh Watch Patrol was set up underlines just how big the appetite for a solution was at the time – and continues to be today.
We are a group of approximately 65 volunteers who are passionate about what we do. Our mission is to carry out regular group patrols along Galway’s waterways, providing a presence that has already helped to avoid many accidents and fatalities on Galway’s waterways. Our aim is to caution people about the dangers of the water, encourage people to move away from it, and to help those who appear to be distressed, disoriented, or suicidal near the water.
HOW TO HELP…
DONATE TO CLADDAGH WATCH
We are partnered with iDonate and have our profile fully set up so individuals can donate on their own.
START A FUNDRAISER OR EVENT
Fundraising allows lots of people to get involved and be impacted by our worthy cause and learn more about us.
BECOME A
VOLUNTEER
Our volunteers are our lifeline, we are always welcoming new volunteers. Get in contact with us today and get involved.
BECOME A CORPORATE PARTNER
Our corporate partnerships allow us to invest in the team and equipment required for us to carry out the work we do.
VOLUNTEERS
We’re always looking for new volunteers to help us watch the waterways of Galway
Claddagh Watch Patrol are keen to welcome new volunteers onto our team, and we always have room to expand. Our mission is an important one that has already made a huge difference since we were founded in 2019, and your help will help us have an even bigger impact. Claddagh Watch Patrol is a very friendly group, and many friendships have been born during patrol times – so much so that we regard ourselves as a family and often call ourselves that.
So, if you’d like to help us on our mission, you can easily do so by getting in touch with us today. Plus, if you’d like to hear what some of our volunteers have to say about working with Claddagh Watch Patrol, check out this page to get a sense of what it’s like.
65+
Volunteers
8+
Patrols Per Month
7+
Hours Per Patrol
7+