The parents of a 17-year-old girl rescued from the sea off Galway on Thursday have said they are looking forward to welcoming her home from hospital in the next 24 hours.
Ellen Glynn has been recovering at University Hospital Galway after she and her cousin were rescued after being swept out to sea on their paddleboards at Furbo Beach in Connemara.
Her cousin, 23-year-old Sara Feeney, is already home and recuperating.
The pair survived a 15-hour ordeal in the Atlantic Ocean after going missing on Wednesday.
They were located near Inis Oírr on Thursday afternoon by fisherman Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan.
The young women were huddled on their paddleboards which they had tied together and attached to the marker buoy of a lobster pot.
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Speaking at their house in Knocknacarra, Johnny and Deirdre Glynn said they have been through a rollercoaster of emotions and just want their eldest daughter home with them now.
They have three other girls; Hannah, Alice and Clara.
The Glynns paid tribute to the rescue services and volunteers who took part in the search for the missing cousins.
They said they will always treasure a hat placed on Ellen's head by the Olivers when they rescued her and took her aboard their fishing vessel Johnny O.
The hat has an RNLI emblem with the words "Respect the Water" on one side and "Life jackets are useless unless worn" on the other.
They said it will serve as a stark reminder of what they have been through and the wonderful work of the rescue services. They said they would like to assist with fundraising initiatives in the future.
Deirdre Glynn has been staying in the hospital with her daughter and said she was in good spirits, chatting on her phone and talking to her friends on TikTok.
She has also done a number of radio interviews.
However, her mother says that Ellen is young and vulnerable and she wants to protect her as she fully absorbs the enormity of this life-changing experience.
"I don't think it has really hit her yet just what she’s been through and the scale of the search that took place for her and Sara. The girls lost track of time and thought nobody was looking for them. Then when Ellen saw the news reports she was flabbergasted."
Deirdre has been doing some mindfulness meditation to help her cope with the stress and anxiety of recent days.
She and her husband hope to have Ellen home tomorrow where they can join together with Sara, who lives nearby, and celebrate with family and friends.
President Michael D Higgins has tweeted his delight at the happy outcome for the Glynn and Feeney families.
He said they had given a lot to their communities and John Glynn had contributed hugely to sport, and soccer in particular.
The President also praised the fishermen who rescued the girls, saying: "I am lost in admiration for the Oliver family, who represent generations of wisdom in relation to the sea.
"When opportunity allows, I look forward to paying tribute to Patrick and Morgan Oliver."
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 15, 2020
