Castletownbere's station history

At an exceptionally well attended meeting held in the Ford Ri Hotel, Air Vice-Marshal Tetley explained the Executive Committee had resolved that an Arun class all-weather lifeboat station was to be established at Castletownbere in 1997 for 12 months' evaluation.

An Arun class lifeboat, Roy & Barbara Harding (ON1118), arrived at the station for evaluation on 25 October.

Lifeboat station established in October 1998.

The new Severn class lifeboat Annette Hutton (ON1277) arrived on station on 2 August. This lifeboat was funded from the generous bequest of Annette Amanda Marguerite Hutton.

A new lifeboat station and pontoon opened on 19 May in a central position, resulting in the launch time of the lifeboat being halved. The new facility cost 950,000 euros to construct, replacing the temporary facility which had been in use for 15 years.