Dads' epic Atlantic voyage in honour of Saoirse O'Driscoll, 13, who died after battling heart condition

Team Power of 1 rowed 5,000km across the Atlantic in memory of Saoirse O'Driscoll and are still aiming to raise €500,000 for children born with congenital heart disease in Ireland. Picture: Facebook/TeamPowerOfOne

A group of five fathers have rowed 5,000km across the Atlantic in memory of Saoirse O’Driscoll, who died at the age of 13.

John O’Driscoll lost his little girl Saoirse after a long battle with illness in April 2024.

Alongside his team-mates — Conor McCarthy, Daragh Kelly, Enda McNicholas, and Roger McMorrow — the Tipperary man raised funds for children born with congenital heart disease in Ireland.

Irish crew, Team Power of 1 — Conor McCarthy, Enda McNicholson, Daragh Kelly, Roger McMorrow, and John O'Driscoll — were the third team over the line in Antigua to complete the gruelling 5,000km transatlantic row. Picture: World’s Toughest Row

Saoirse died after a long battle with a heart condition. The little girl had been placed on the emergency transplant list, but sadly lost her fight four days later in Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

To honour her fighting spirit, Mr O’Driscoll embarked on a mission to row from San Sebastian de La Gomera, Spain to Antigua.

After starting the race on December 11, the group — named The Power of One — finished third in the gruelling race, which they completed in 39 days, 14 hours, and 31 minutes.

After reaching the land, the five men were welcomed by a cheering crowd of family and friends.

So far, the crew has raised more than €430,000 for the Children’s Heart Centre, Crumlin, and for Heart Children Ireland.

Honouring his daughter’s fighting spirit, Mr O’Driscoll said that Saoirse was the sixth member on the boat.

Looking back on his journey, Mr O’Driscoll said: “It was mixed emotions after rowing an ocean, being focused every day, just rowing, eating, sleeping.

“There was a sense of trepidation and fear of going back to land to face life after Saoirse’s passing.

“The last while on the boat, it takes your mind off things to a certain extent and allows you time to think. I’ve been supported by four amazing guys and all that intrepid itching left as soon as I stepped in here and met my family and friends.

“We got to spend this moment together, remembering Saoirse and what it’s all about. 

"The platform has been fantastic. It has helped us to raise a phenomenal amount of money for charity,” he said.

Irish team POWER OF 1 were the third team to complete the WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW - ATLANTIC 2024, crossing the finish line into English Harbour in Antigua after 39 days, 14 hours, and 31 minutes.

Mr O’Driscoll said that if they could help at least one child in the process, it would make a difference.

“We said if we could make a difference to one child’s life out of this, it’s worth it. Everything is worth it. It was an amazing experience, a great, wonderful experience.”

He felt the difficulties the group experienced on the water mirrored some of those faced by Saoirse throughout her illness. Despite being sick while on the boat, he powered through the race.

Irish team POWER OF 1 were the third team to complete the WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW - ATLANTIC 2024.  

“I felt, especially in the first week or two, how arduous life can be,” he said.

“When you talk about Saoirse up there, we firmly felt she was the sixth member on the boat. She was with us every day, driving us forward. When times got difficult, when the sandstorms came in, when the waters got stuck, we remembered why we were there. Our kids, Saoirse — move forward, keep going, and never stop.”

• You can still donate to the fundraising drive on the Team Power of 1 page on idonate.