Water Safety - Presentation to Kilkenny County Council of Charles Thomson Award
The Charles Thomson Award, which recognises outstanding contributions towards the promotion of water safety, has been won by Kilkenny County Council. The award was presented by Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government Phil Hogan to the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Paul Cuddihy in Dublin Castle last November. This prestigious award is an all-island award and is bestowed by The Royal Lifesaving Society Ulster Branch, Republic of Ireland Branch and Irish Water Safety to the local authority that has done the most to promote water safety across the island of Ireland.
The award reflects the partnership between Kilkenny County Council and the Kilkenny County Committee of Irish Water Safety and is co-ordinated by Water Safety Development Officer Joan McLoughlin. A key factor in reducing the number of drownings each year is the multi-faceted approach to water safety within the County and City to promote safe practices on the waterways. This is achieved by working with local media sources, creating awareness promotion at events such as the Nore Swim and rolling out life saving and swimming lessons to both young and old throughout the year.
Philip O'Neill, Director of Water Services & Environment in Kilkenny County Council and a Life Governor of Irish Water Safety commented "that the award was a great reflection on the outstanding work completed by the County Council and Kilkenny Water Safety to highlight water safety" and added his appreciation of local organisations such as the local media that assist the regular promotion of water safety by liaising with the PR Officer of Kilkenny Water Safety.
The award also pays tribute to the efforts of Kilkenny County Council to maintain the quality of bathing areas in the County through the provision of equipment, installation of appropriate signage and maintenance of the bathing areas. Fourteen lifeguards were employed during the summer months to cover four swimming areas. This provision of the lifeguard service by Kilkenny County Council contributes towards safe-guarding the community.
Cllr. Paul Cuddihy in accepting the award congratulated the Environment Section of the Council and the voluntary work of the Kilkenny Water Safety Committee in achieving for the first time this award. He added that this reflects the good water safety work being carried out throughout County Kilkenny and the excellent voluntary work by so many people in both urban and rural areas throughout the City and County.
Presentation to Kilkenny County Council of the Charles Thomson Award. Presentation took place at Dublin Castle on the 22nd November 2011.
Edward Duffy, RLSS Ireland, Mr Phil Hogan TD Minister for Environment Community & Local Government, Joan McLoughlin, WSDO Kilkenny Co. Co., Cllr Paul Cuddihy, Cathaoirleach, Denis Lawlor, Snr Engineer, Kilkenny Co. Co., Cllr. Cllr. Patrick Crowley, Philip O'Neill, Director of Water Services & Environment, Kilkenny Co. Co., Breda Collins, Chairman Irish Water Safety
