Tributes are being paid to a popular local man, aged in his 60s, who drowned in Wicklow this weekend.
He was named as Ciaran Megannety, from Bray, who was well-known in the community for his volunteering and was a member of the local sea swimming group, Bray Sea Swimmers.
He sadly died after getting into difficulty while going for an early morning swim in Bray early on Sunday morning.
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Messages of condolences have since poured in on Rip.ie for Ciaran as the local community expressed their shock at his tragic death as he was described as the "face of Bray".
One woman wrote: "You will be so greatly missed by all who knew and loved you. Bray has lost a legend... rest in heavenly peace Ciaran."
Another local wrote: "Very saddened to hear of the passing of Ciaran. A gentle man who would always say hello. A face of Bray who gave so much of his time and life to the community he loved. Rest in Peace Ciaran."
Bray Chamber also paid a tribute to Ciaran on Facebook, praising him for his involvement in the local community and his “affable nature.”
They also noted how his volunteering efforts had been recognised in their 2015 Endeavour Awards, writing: "Ciaran Megannety’s passing is a great loss to Bray and we are shocked and saddened by the tragic news of his accident.
"He was always generous with his time, constantly volunteering to help out at community events and festivals. His affable nature was the key to his fundraising abilities, whether he was sourcing prizes or selling tickets. Ciaran loved to chat to people, and he regularly attended events and he was a great source of local community news."
One member of the Bray Sea Swimmers group wrote on social media: "Ciarán absolutely loved the sea and the community down there, he really will be so missed."
Reports were made to the emergency services shortly after 8am on Sunday that a person had been seen struggling in the current just off Bray beach.
Both the Gardai and ambulance service attended to try and save him. Sadly, their efforts were in vain and he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.
His body will repose at Thomas Murphy and Sons Funeral Home on Boghall Road in Bray on Thursday evening from 5pm to 6pm.
The funeral mass will take place at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bray at 10.30am on Friday, November 18, followed by a private cremation for family and close friends.
A death notice on Rip.ie states that he died "suddenly", reading: "[Ciaran] will be sadly missed by his loving family, his brother-in-law Brendan, nephew Paul, niece Gemma, his many cousins, extended family and a very large circle of friends."
A Garda statement on the drowning incident said: "Gardaí received reports of a swimmer in difficulty at Bray Beach, Co. Wicklow at approximately 8.25am this morning, Sunday, 13th November 2022.
"Upon arrival to the scene Gardaí commenced CPR on a man (60s), but he was later pronounced deceased.
"The body of the man has since been removed from the scene and a post-mortem will take place at a later date."
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