Swim Munster Mourns the Passing of Ellen Cassidy
It is with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss that Swim Munster shares the heartbreaking news of the passing of Ellen Cassidy on Sunday, June 1st, 2025. Ellen was a shining light in the Irish swimming community — an athlete, a leader, and a friend — and her passing is felt deeply across Munster, Ireland, and beyond.
Ellen was a lifelong swimmer with an unwavering passion for the sport. She began her journey with the Dolphin Swimming Club, where her dedication and talent were evident from an early age. Her commitment to swimming led her to the University of Cork Swimming Club and the Munster Regional Squad, where she continued to flourish both as a competitor and as a role model. Ellen’s incredible work ethic and team spirit earned her a place on the Irish national team, representing her country with pride at the European Junior Championships.
While Ellen achieved much in the pool, it was her contributions outside the lanes that truly set her apart. A natural leader with a generous spirit, she most recently served as Joint Chairperson of the UCC Swimming Club, where she played a key role in organizing the 2024 Inter Varsities Swimming Championship in Cork. Her vision, organizational skills, and tireless enthusiasm ensured the success of that event and created a lasting impact on all who participated. Ellen had a gift for bringing people together and igniting in others the same love for swimming that she carried so gracefully throughout her life.
Ellen’s impact on her teammates, coaches, fellow students, and the wider swimming community cannot be overstated. She was not only admired for her athletic ability but also for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering support for those around her. She inspired many young swimmers in Munster and Ireland, not only by her achievements but by the way she led—with compassion, humility, and joy.
Her loss is immeasurable, and her absence will be deeply felt.
Swim Munster extends its deepest sympathies to Ellen’s beloved family—her mother Violet, father Tom, sister Mary, and brother Charlie. We also hold in our hearts her extended family, close friends, teammates, coaches, and all who were fortunate enough to know her. This is an incredibly difficult time for so many, and we stand in solidarity with all those who are grieving the loss of such a remarkable young woman.
As we remember Ellen, we will celebrate her life, her passion for swimming, and the positive energy she brought to everyone she encountered. Her legacy will live on in the lanes she swam, the lives she touched, and the future generations of swimmers she inspired.
May she rest in peace.
