Lecarrow woman remembered in Galway through fundraiser

The mother of a Lecarrow woman who died by suicide last December says she hopes that the fundraiser which was held in her memory will help stop a similar tragedy befalling another family.

Lindsey Kelly was 30 years old when she died, and her mother Margaret says it was the last thing she had ever thought would happen.

Speaking about her daughter, Margaret said Lindsey was “so vibrant and quick-witted.”

“She was a normal girl really. She loved animals and nature, those two were really her thing. She would speak her mind and wouldn’t have any problem doing that, but she always tried to see the good in people as well.”

Lindsey was living in Galway for twelve years, having moved there once she finished school.

“She did childcare initially, but then a year or so later she decided to switch to hairdressing. She always had a flair for it, so that’s what she did for a number of years.

“She was working as a senior stylist in Barna right up until the pandemic started and then there was uncertainty so she thought it was a good time to change careers, so she did that too. She always liked trying new things so it didn’t bother her at all.”

Lindsey ended up working in finance and although it was a stark contrast to hairdressing, her boss was extremely happy with her work and she loved it.

“She was working right up until she passed away, so it was so sudden and unexpected,” Margaret said.

Lindsey had always had an interest in volunteering with Claddagh Watch in Galway, which is a team of volunteers that patrol the waterways and bridges of Galway city at night in an effort to prevent accidents and death and to promote water safety.

With a priority of safety first, Claddagh Watch Patrol volunteers assess situations, attempt intervention and report incidents to the authorities. Each team of volunteers uses radios, safeguard designated zones and there is a supervisor overseeing every patrol.

Patrols commence between 9.30pm and 10.30pm and end between 2.30am and 5am, and volunteers do not enter the water under any circumstances.

“She had talked about Claddagh Watch Patrol before, and she really loved the whole idea of the group,” Margaret said. “When she passed away, I wanted to remember not how she left us, but for what she has left us and for the person that she was.

“We didn’t want flowers when she passed, but I said donations could instead be left to Claddagh Watch or Pieta House. Lindsey’s cousin Rachel then decided to run a fundraiser in her memory and she was able to get prizes for it.”

The fundraiser ended up raising over €9,000, and with that money Claddagh Watch Patrol were able to purchase eleven special torches that have now been called ‘Lindsey’s Lights’.

Volunteers using these long torches are able to see below the waterline and across the city’s waterways, and each one is engraved with Lindsey’s name.

“If you had met Lindsey you would never forget her,” Margaret said. “She was so good-natured and always wanted to help people, so these lights really make her memory go on.”

“Claddagh Watch has saved so many people, and mine and the family’s thoughts is that if even one person is saved with the help of these lights then her death won’t have been in vain and we can spare another family awful anguish.

“A lot of people outside of Galway have never heard of Claddagh Watch, and even people have had to ask me about it, and lots of youngsters from Athlone and Roscommon or all over the country go to Galway for college or work, so it’s good to get raise awareness about it.

“It gives us some comfort that she is doing good in the world even now,” Margaret finished.

Half of the money raised was also donated to Pieta House, which provides free 24-hour support through a therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm.

Those looking for more information about Claddagh Watch Patrol can visit their Facebook and Instagram pages, and more information about Pieta House is available at pieta.ie