An 82-year-old Donegal man has won the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Man of the Year Award.
Paddy Conaghan from Árainn Mhór was nominated for his round Ireland challenge.
It saw him swimming at as many piers and beaches as possible as he drove around the Irish coast starting in December 2021 and finishing in February last year.
He is currently doing the same challenge only travelling clockwise around Ireland rather than anti-clockwise.
The WOWSA awards were announced in San Francisco last night.
There are six categories and Mr Conaghan took gold in the Man of the Year section.
WOWSA said the awards were an annual recognition of excellence in open water swimming.
It said they celebrate "individuals and offerings that embody the spirit of open water swimming and have positively impacted the community, showcasing their determination, fortitude and sense of adventure".
More than 143 nominations were evaluated by the 94 members of the WOWSA voting academy.
These were narrowed down to ten finalists in each category hailing from 23 different countries.
Mr Conaghan, who is now in Co Cork, said he never thought about awards and that he is no athlete, but he "put his whole heart into the challenges".
The challenge for which he won the award and his current challenge are both in support of mental health charities.
Elaine Grady, who runs his social media accounts from Árainn Mhór, said she was so proud of him and all that he has achieved.
She added: "He has no idea what he is doing for open water swimming and mental health."
The Cork Distance Week, a marathon swimming preparation camp designed and led by Ned Denison, was another Irish award winner, in the 'Product or Service of the Year' category.
