Let’s Start The Conversation
National Water Safety Awareness Week is a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and have life-saving conversations. Whether you’re casting a line, taking a dip, or strolling along a canal, it’s about staying aware, making smart choices, and looking out for each other.
Because no matter how you enjoy the water — Respect the Risk.
National Water Safety Awareness Week 2026, a dedicated week focused on promoting safe practices around water for people of all ages.
With a mix of online sessions, in-person events, and interactive opportunities, this year’s programme aims to engage communities, schools, and families across the country. Please see the confirmed list of events for the week below and come back to see
Monday 18th – Primary Schools Webinar.
Wednesday 20th – Hold Hands Online Information Session for Early Learning Centres.
Thursday 21st – National Hold Hands Day – events in Clare, Offaly and Dublin.
Amplify the Campaign
As National Water Safety Awareness Week 2026 begins, Minister Jerry Buttimer TD shares an important message on the role we all play in keeping ourselves and others safe around water.
The Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, is encouraging everyone to have conversations with loved ones about the importance of building water safety skills, attitudes and behaviours into everyday life. Water safety starts with awareness and together, we can help save lives.
The Appelbee family pictured with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, at Government Buildings to reflect on their extraordinary survival story and the importance of water safety awareness. The Taoiseach praised Austin’s “extraordinary courage” after his four-hour swim for help that saved his family during a 10-hour ordeal at sea off Western Australia earlier this year.
Pictured are Joanne, Beau, Grace, Austin and their grandmother Doreen. Their message during National Water Safety Awareness Week is simple: learning swimming and lifesaving skills can save lives. Awareness is your lifesaver — enjoy the water, respect the risk.
Explore the Stories
Don’t wait for an emergency to have a water safety conversation.” After her family spent 10 hours in the water waiting to be rescued, Joanne Appelbee shares a powerful message for parents and families as part of Ireland’s National Water Safety Awareness Week (May 18–25). Early swim education and simple water safety habits can save lives. Please take a moment to hear and share Joanne’s important message.
After spending 10 hours in the water waiting to be rescued, Austin Appelbee swam for help — an act that helped save his family. Now, the Appelbee family is sharing their experience to encourage early swim education and simple water safety habits that can save lives. Please take a moment to watch and share Austin’s important message.
After spending 10 hours in the water waiting to be rescued, Beau Appelbee’s story is a powerful reminder of why water safety conversations matter. Saved after Austin swam for help, the Appelbee family is sharing their experience to encourage early swim education and simple water safety habits that can save lives. Please take a moment to watch and share this Beau’s important message.
Rewatch: National Water Safety Week Webinars 2026
Past Campaigns
