Local heroes who saved man and his children from drowning in Co Kilkenny honoured

The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, has presented 26 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others and amongst the award recipients were two men from Kilkenny and Carlow.

David Dunne (Kilkenny) and Mike Bolger (Carlow) rescued three children and a man from the River Barrow in Graignamanagh, Co Kilkenny on June 1, 2020.

Mr Dunne and Mr Bolger were at a local Park in the local town when they heard screaming from the river. They saw a man and three children in difficulty in the water. The two men jumped into the river and Mr Dunne swam to get one of the children and the man who was struggling against the strong river current. Meanwhile, Mr Bolger began trying to rescue another of the children, a girl who had become trapped in a weir.

The girl was going under the water inside of the weir and the water was so rapid that the Carlow man also got caught in the whirlpool and was struggling to keep them both above water.

At this point Mr Bolger’s dog, a Staffordshire terrier called Clyde, jumped in and pushed the girl towards the dog. The girl grabbed on to Clyde which left Bolger free to swim with his two hands so that he was able to get out of the whirlpool but he was struggling to get the girl to safety.

By now Mr Dunne had gotten the man and boy ashore and then swam to another girl who was clinging to a tree out in the middle of the river. He managed to push her to the wall of the weir and they both scrambled up. The Kilkenny native then ran over the weir, grabbing his friend's hand as he was going under and together they got the girl to safety.

Today’s ceremony at Farmleigh House at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, brought the pair along with other national heroes together to receive 26 certificates, six Bronze Medals and 13 Silver Medals.

The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded 76 years ago in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional Acts of Bravery. The Council is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork, the Garda Commissioner, the President of the Association of City & County Councils, and the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross.