National Member’s Conference

Portlaoise, Saturday 4th March 2023

Water Safety Ireland’s National Member Conference will take place on Saturday 4th of March. This conference is open to all full members of WSI and will provide CPD accredited training, as well as an opportunity to meet fellow water safety peers to share expertise and discuss water safety best practices.

Registration will take place at 9.30am-10am with the conference commencing at 10am.

Location: Midlands Park Hotel, Jessop St, Moneyballytyrrell, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32 KV20

Cost: 300 free tickets have been provided to all Water Safety Area Committees nationwide. To secure your ticket, please contact your local WSAC

Members can also register to attend this event at a cost of €25 per participant.

Hotel: Midlands Park Hotel 

Email: [email protected]Phone: (057) 867 8588

2023 Schedule

Pádraic Ó Máille

Keynote speaker, Pádraic Ó Máille, is a motivational speaker who has helped “extraordinary people committed to achieving extraordinary goals.” Further information on Pádraic and his considerable experience, can be viewed here.

Pádraic will be leading a discussion on Fully Charged for the Future exploring how members can shape the development of Water Safety Ireland in the years ahead.

Ciara Gleeson

Ciara Gleeson is the current Education Development Executive at Water Safety Ireland.

During the conference Ciara will be talking about exploring the fundamental of theory within water safety Ireland’s pathway of education

programmes within Ireland

Ashling Nesbitt

Ashling Nesbitt has been with the National DLP for WSI since July 2018 and during the conference she will be discussing implementing child safeguarding practice with Water Safety Ireland.

Brendan McGrath

Brendan has worked as coach for the Irish Lifeguarding team in various European and World Championships since 2004 and his experience and advice is invaluable.

Simon McGarrigle

Sports Commission Chair Simon McGarrigle will be running a breakout session about introducing sport to beginners. With extensive experience in competing, coaching and refereeing throughout Ireland, Simon will be sharing information from his more than 10 years of knowledge in competitive sports environments.

Paul Burke

Paul has been involved with water safety for nearly 40 years. He has held many positions since 1984 on the Cork Area Water Safety Committee such as Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Fund Raising Officer. Paul will be running an Examiner Conference Workshop for people interested in becoming an examiner or refining their skills.

Joanne Walsh

CEO of Water Safety Ireland, Joanne Walsh will be delivering a keynote address about the future of Water Safety Ireland and the new 2023 – 2027 Strategic Development Plan which will help reduce drownings throughout Ireland.

Christine Maloney

 CEO of Leisure World Co. Cork, Christine Moloney will be delivering an important seminar on Pool Lifeguard Essentials.

Hilary Lynch

Hilary Lynch will be delivering an informative workshop on the Standardisation of Water Safety Exams throughout Ireland.

Bernie Gaines

Dublin Water Safety Area Committee Chair Bernie Gaines will be taking attendees through the processes of organising for efficient classes.

Billy Horgan

Billy Horgan will explore the transition of Lifesaving and Swimming Instructing from the Pool to Open Water in Portlaoise on Saturday 4th March

Paul Murphy

 Paul Murphy will be hosting an important workshop on Basic Life Support (BLS) Training.

This training equips participants with the skills to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED.