The search continued off the Clare coast yesterday for five-year-old Rory Sambrook, who was swept out to sea at Doolin on Tuesday afternoon.
The small community of Kilshanny in north Clare was trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
School principal Ms Mary McNamara of Kilshanny National School, where Rory started Junior Infants in September, said: "We are numbed by the tragedy; we can't believe it."
Rory was swept out to sea as he walked with his mother, Kathy, and sister, Leah (3) at Lan Dubh, a flat, rocky shore a short distance from Doolin Pier at 2.45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. Rory is also survived by his father, Marcus.
Mr Mattie Shannon, of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard, said a search of a seven-mile stretch of the north Clare coast took place yesterday. However, no body was found.
He said the Doolin unit was joined by their colleagues from Kilkee, while 12 to 14 locals and off-duty gardai also joined the shore search.
A Waterford-based Air Corps helicopter also helped in the operation. The local rescue unit was preparing to go out last night to conduct a further search at low tide.
According to Mr Shannon, sea conditions were worse yesterday than Tuesday, with high waves preventing the rescue units launching lifeboats.
He said the search would continue today and through to the weekend.
Ms McNamara described Rory yesterday as "a special, joyful, bubbly, happy boy, who was a very self-assured child".
Ms McNamara said the teachers tried to talk the tragedy through with the 36 children that attend the school yesterday.
Rory started school at Kilshanny last September after attending play-school in the nearby coastal village of Liscannor.
