A mayoral reception has been held to honour Richard Hayes who sailed around Ireland to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and to fundraise for equipment such as defibrillators.
In May 2018, Richard set off on a solo circumnavigation of Ireland in a tiny dingy called the Laser One, finishing in Galway Bay in mid-September.
He raised over €11,270 for local heart health charity, Croí, as well as highlighting the preventable nature of heart disease and stroke.
Speaking about the achievements of Richard Hayes, Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Clodagh Higgins said that an unsupported solo sail around Ireland is a very rare event, requiring skill, dedication, fitness and also a lot of patience.
“Along the way on Richard’s solo sail around Ireland, Richard and his family met with the kindness of strangers many times – from those who offered beds, to meals and coffee, and the farmers who towed the boat up sand dunes with their quad bikes,” she said.
“Communities across Ireland have been repaid in kind, in your efforts to keep them and their loved ones free from the heartache of losing a loved one to heart disease.”
Richard’s mother Celine introduced him to sailing when he was just 8 years old, in Lough Derg.
Some years later, Celine passed away as a result of a heart attack. There was no access to a defibrillator, which might have saved her life.
Mayor Higgins also paid tribute to Richard’s family, Michael, Libhín and Michelle, who supported him every step of the way on this journey, and wished Richard the very best in his future, on the water, and on land.
