Clare woman kayaks River Shannon in aid of Haitian programme
A Clare woman is currently completing a kayak of the River Shannon in aid of the NPH Haiti Special Needs Programs having recently made her way through Athlone and Clonmacnoise.
Jacinta McGuane from Corofin, began the kayak in Cavan on Saturday, August 12 with friends who have competed for Ireland on canoeing and they arrived in Athlone on Tuesday, August 15. Jacinta said: “Everyone was friendly and some friends and family were there to greet us. We had yummy take-away soup and sandwiches from The Bailey. We did look an odd site wandering in in our full kayaking gear.”
Jacinta also stopped in Clonmacnoise whilst completing the kayak. She said: “As we paddled towards Clonmacnoise the round tower was guiding our way. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we ate dinner over looking the River Shannon from Clonmacnoise. We were entertained by the spectacular water-skiing too.”
Jacinta was inspired to undertake the impressive 300km kayak after working for NPH Haiti Special Needs Programs in Haiti for ten years. She first learned about the programme when her cousin Marie Lynch volunteered there as a nurse in the 1990s. She was also inspired by triathlete Alison Graham who is aged in her sixties and previously broke her ankle at Christmas time but was back doing triathlons by the following September.
Jacinta said she decided to set up a GoFundMe page to “raise funds and raise awareness of war in Haiti.” The Clare native added that she would like to raise €10,000 and has managed to raise a whopping €8,507 to date. “I know the students and staff that it will benefit.”
Jacinta volunteered with the special needs programme there for 20 years until 2021 and developed a programme for children with learning difficulties and helped to implement Covid protocols in the children's hospital. The kayaking enthusiast said that life is much simpler in Haiti but cited the many problems for locals there such as natural disasters, hurricanes, flooding, drought and civil war. “They just learn to get on with life and appreciate each day as it comes.”
“Having spent 10 years there, NPH Haiti's Special Needs Programmes are very dear to my heart. The children and adults with special needs, their staff and families and all of the volunteers are inspirational and are amazingly resilient. No matter the catastrophic natural disaster or the ongoing civil unrest, their dedication, love and smiles are unbeatable.”
Jacinta said that she experienced very windy and stormy conditions during the kayak so far, particularly in Lough Allen in Co. Leitrim. She explained that due to Storm Betty she had to take a break from the kayak but hopes to take to the water again this Thursday to finish the final leg.
Speaking about the fantastic local support she has received during the kayak, Jacinta stated: “Sr Helen Ryder gave support when we came to Banagher. I know her from volunteering in Haiti.” She said that Maeve Bracken from Tullamore who was also a volunteer in Haiti was also very supportive.
“It's been so nice meeting everyone. It's so peaceful on the river at times.” Jacinta said that she enjoyed watching the fish jump and stopping in towns that she didn't know” She also praised the crews in Portumna who provided guidance for the coming days of the kayak.
Jacinta also highlighted the plight of local farmers given recent flooding of the River Shannon and said that she “was heartbroken to see how farmers are going to try to get through the winter with how much land is inaccessible at the moment.”
"Due to record rainfall levels in July the river is at a lovely level for kayaking, unfortunately this is not such good news for farmers and home-owners along its banks, in particular in the Banagher area."
Before undertaking the kayak, Jacinta trained three or four times a week depending on the weather on the lakes and rivers in north Clare. She first started training last November. Jacinta first started kayaking in 1995 and then joined the kayak club in the University of Limerick. She has previously done some kayak surfing and white water racing.
Jacinta would like to thank the many people she met along the River Shannon and the cruisers that helped the team along when they were tired.
To donate to the fundraiser in aid of the NPH Haiti Special Needs Programs search for River Shannon Kayak for Special Needs on GoFundMe.
Jacinta will also be on the rescue team for the inaugural Jim O'Connor Memorial Castle to Castle swim, a 13.5km event from Rindoon Castle to Athlone Castle taking place this Saturday.