Elaine McInaw on the ocean’s healing powers

Donegal Hotel Collection’s Elaine McInaw on discovering the joy and power of sea swimming

When life throws tragedy your way in the midst of a pandemic it can be hard to know what to do. Elaine McInaw was faced with just that when her beloved father passed away suddenly last year.

Having always been respectfully weary of the ocean, it was this heartbreaking and extremely sad time that encouraged a new perspective on the Atlantic.

“My dad died three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer,” Elaine says of the moment she felt drawn to the sea. “One week later I was walking the shore, I stopped midwalk and sat down, watching the waves, the sun was glistening, and I thought I need to get into the water.”

And that was the beginning of a healing journey in the water last October.

“I was weary of the safety aspect of sea swimming,” she admits. “But was aware of a group of local swim clubs Sea Tonic and Wild Atlantic Dippers, so I reached out and arranged that the following day would be my first dip.”

That first dip was a cool two minutes but she now spends anything up to 20 minutes or more swimming and just enjoying the moment.

“It’s actually really addictive the buzz you feel after each swim,” she says. “I’ve met some fabulous people.

“I’m quite confident there is a healing both physically and emotionally when you immerse yourself in the sea.

I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for that natural feel-good vibe.”

When she’s not in the water, Elaine nd is the Sales and Marketing Manager for the Donegal Hotel Collection.

But despite a most-welcome busy season ahead, it can’t be all work and no play.

“I’m a big Wild Atlantic Way girl,” Elaine says. “We’re blessed within the county of Donegal with 1134km of coast and I’ve done the majority of the signature points along it.

“I love sea swimming as well but only started within my 5km locally, so I’m dying to get to a few new Blue Flag beaches.

“I mostly swim close to home in Mountcharles Pier as it’s just 10 minutes from Donegal Town. This summer I intend to swim below the Sliagh Liag Cliffs with Sliagh Liag

Boat Trips which depart daily from Teelin.”

Harnessing that Wild Atlantic Wayinspired spirit and energy, has also applied to reopening the Donegal Hotel Collection’s three properties after lockdown - The Abbey Hotel, Central Hotel and Nesbitt Arms Boutique Hotel.

The collection’s two Donegal town hotels have both had bedroom upgrades.

While the Nesbitt Boutique Hotel in the heritage town of Ardara has undergone a complete renovation.

“It feels really good to be opening up with a brand-new product there,” Elaine says. “Being closed gave us the opportunity to do all this and not have to work around guests. We just can’t wait to get started.”

But not before a splash in the healing Atlantic.