“Sacked lifeguard saves life at sea…”
This and other stories relating to Kilkee’s Manuel di Lucia are recorded in his new biography, which is appropriately named You Only Live Once.
Not only has the former Co Clare town mayor taught hundreds to swim, but he has even trained his dog, Brando, how to surf – and effect a rescue.
A “fair man for one man” is how his biographer, Kevin Haugh, describes his subject.
Manuel Di Lucia launching his book "You Only Live Once" at Sheils Motors Ennis on Friday In aid of RNLI Kilrush and West Clare cancer centre Kilkee. Pictured from left to right are Estelle DiLucia, Manuel DiLucia, Doris DiLucia and Saffron DiLucia. Photo: Arthur Ellis
Di Lucia, founder of Kilkee community rescue, has worked as a lifeguard, commercial diver, fisherman and restaurateur and had a lifelong friendship with late actor Richard Harris.
“Hovering in space” is how he describes his first experience of snorkelling, after he met members of Killaloe Sub Aqua Club, including Ronnie Hurley, at the Kilkee Pollock Holes in 1960.
Di Lucia describes the geological feature as “the eighth wonder of the world”.
He would later team up with the divers who had first introduced him to the sport in some harrowing rescues and recoveries, including the search for nine children who drowned when an oyster boat capsized at New Quay, Co. Clare on June 29th, 1969.
The ‘Red Bank’ had only been blessed by the local priest shortly before.
“It was during the first Moon landing,”he says, recalling the long days and nights of searching.
Representing Ireland in spear fishing and other exploits are recorded in Di Lucia’s biography, and he and Haugh spoke to Wavelengths about it (below)
