Two kayakers were rescued by a lifeboat in Co Cork last night after they were reported missing from Roscarberry.
The two teenagers, a boy and a girl, had been reported missing shortly before 10pm.
After a search of many hours, shouts were heard from a cave near Millcove, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore Lifeboat said.
Dangerous conditions meant the lifeboat crew on the inshore lifeboat could not enter the cave, so the crew launched a small boat.
However this small boat could only get within 50 metres of the cave due to dangerous conditions.
RNLI crewmember John Kearney went into the water and swam the last 50 metres to reach the two kayakers clinging to a rock with waves crashing over them. The pair were cold and tired.
Mr Kearney carried them individually over his shoulder in chest high water from the cave and then onto the inshore lifeboat which landed them at Millcove.
The Baltimore lifeboat had earlier responded to a yacht in difficulty near Ballydehob.
In the North yesterday, emergency services rescued a hill walker injured in the Mourne mountains. The man sustained serious leg injuries on Slieve Meelbeg.
The Police Search and Rescue Team coordinated efforts that included the Mourne Rescue Team, Irish Coastguard and the Ambulance Service.
The man was taken to hospital for treatment, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Also yesterday, the body of a 74-year-old man was recovered from a river in Co Wicklow after he fell into the Avoca river near the Meeting of the Waters.
His daughter, who is in her 30s, jumped into the water near the Meetings pub to try to rescue him but was unsuccessful and had to be helped to safety.
A Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter, civil defence personnel and member s of the gardai and joined in the search for the man.
His body was discovered near Woodenbridge Golf club and taken to Tallaght hospital.
Additional reporting: PA