We at Diving Ireland are so proud that @huntertravel from the @irish_freediving_club represented Ireland in the @cmasorg world championship freediving indoor competition.

Here’s what Kathy had to say;

Post-World Championship Reflection

I’m home from the World Championships—feeling tired, proud, and still letting it all sink in.

This was my first ever competition where I received four white cards. That might not mean much to everyone, but to me, it means everything.

In past comps, I’ve often pushed too hard chasing numbers, only to end up with red cards—usually due to surface protocol errors or surface blackouts. I didn’t grow up in a sporting or competitive environment, and nerves often got the better of me. This time, I didn’t hit the numbers I had in mind. But for once, that doesn’t take away from the pride I feel. I know I gave it my best. And it’s taken me four years to arrive at that kind of acceptance.

Freediving—especially competing in freediving—has taught me so much about myself. I’m finally learning how to enjoy the journey and I encourage everyone to do the same.

This competition was also special for another reason: I was the first freediver to represent Ireland at a World Championship pool competition. No pressure!! 😅

My DNF dive ended at 84m after an accidental hyperventilation (thanks nerves). I usually get contractions around 35m, but at 50m I still felt nothing and thought: Wow, this is going to be such a nice dive… I’ll pass 100m easily. But it was over at 84m—and I’m so glad I listened to my body rather than chasing numbers as I had a slight LMC coming up, and anything more would’ve meant a red card. That white card meant more than a failed PB.

By the final day, the jet lag had lifted and I was ready to go! I finished with a national record of 142.5m. for DYN using my bifins.

It’s exciting to see the Irish freediving community growing, and I really hope it won’t be long before we’re travelling as a team—with many more freedivers representing Ireland on the world stage

#WeAreDivingIreland

The Dublin North & South Regional Assessments were held over the weekend. 39 members turned out for the weekend from 10 different clubs. The candidates were from DCU, Omega, Alpha Dive and Curragh Sub Aqua clubs.

Overall Diving Ireland are delighted to have gained;

9 new Rescue divers
3 new Diver 2**
2 new Mon 2’s

A big thank you to all the examiners and organisers for all the amazing work to make the weekend happen.

#WeAreDivingIreland

South West Dive Rally 2025

What an incredible event, over 150 Divers, Snorkelers and Freedivers all in Knightstown Co.Kerry.

Plenty of clubs headed to the Skelligs over the weekend with rumours of Star Wars songs being sang along the way.

For others it was exploring the Valentia coastline with all the amazing dive sites it had to offer.

Then it was back to the local hotel for a talk on basking sharks and a good social catch up with all our Diving Ireland members.

Thank you to @kerrysubaqua for hosting a great dive rally we can’t wait for 2026 already!

#WeAreDivingIreland

New Mon 1 instructors, new snorkel instructors and leading diver course in progress!

Diving Ireland is delighted to gain new instructors for our organisation to help teach the wonderful sport we have of scuba diving and snorkelling.

We also look forward to the future leading divers who are busy learning new material in their lectures.

A big thank you to all examiners, instructors and candidates that make Diving Ireland what it is. We are so lucky to have great people that make us what we are.

#WeAreDivingIreland

The South West Dive Rally 2025, May 17th / 18th Knightstown, Valentia Island.

Join @kerrysubaqua for what promises to be another exciting festival of diving / freediving in the Kingdom. Catch up with friends, experience the fantastic diving Kerry has to offer, take part in their underwater photography competition and attend some of the fantastic guest speakers over the weekend.

Rooms are filling up quickly so call the Royal Hotel Valentia for discounted rates for Divers attending the weekend.

The Southwest dive rally is now up on just go. Tickets can be purchased for the event in advance of the 17th / 18th of May. EV001558. Click the link in our bio for tickets or visit Just Go.

Get in touch with Inbhear Sceine Kerry Sub Aqua Club if you have any more questions about the weekend.

#WeAreDivingIreland

Your 2025 / 2026 Diving Ireland Board of Directors

* President: Paddy Lambe
* Vice President (Membership): Helen Buckley Murphy
* Secretary: Mairead Hennessy
* Treasurer: Nicoleta Lítiou
* National Diving Officer: Dom Traynor
* National Children’s / Youth Officer: Alison Gaffney
* National Snorkel Officer: Phil Walker
* Vice President of Communications: Conor Meyler
* Marine Protection Director: Stéphane Portrait
* Underwater Sports Officer: Paul Stratan
* Ordinary Director: Sarah Staunton
* Independent Director: Louise Gilligan

Your office staff:
* Operations Manager: Amado Hidalgo
* Admin Staff: Sarah Campbell
* Sports Development Officer: Eva Salerno
* Accountant: Breda Keogh

A big thank you to all the out going board of directors for all their hard work to keep our organisation functioning.

What an amazing @diveirelandexpo hosted by @loughdergsac. Plenty of great exhibitors, speakers and forms. Hosting the Diving Ireland Expo is no easy task so a big thank you again to all the volunteers from @loughdergsac.

It was amazing to see all our members in one place, talking all things scuba diving, snorkelling, underwater hockey and freediving.

As always there was plenty of feedback from our members and we look forward to working on your feedback for the better of Diving Ireland.

#WeAreDivingIreland