RNLI volunteers from Wexford lifeboat stations mark 200 years of saving lives
Yesterday (Monday 4 March) the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives with crews from Wexford's lifeboat stations attending two special events, the unveiling of two stamps from An Post, which depict the charity’s lifesaving work in Ireland and a Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey.
On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI announced that its volunteer lifeboat crews has saved 8,357 lives in Ireland since it was founded, and aided a further 35,477 people. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland, including four on inland waters. The charity designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes. Its most recent all weather lifeboat, the Shannon, was named after the Irish river in recognition of generations of Irish lifeboat crew. The first RNLI lifeboat in Ireland was was established in Arklow in 1826.
Over 200 years of lifesaving in the RNLI two things remain unchanged – the charity’s reliance on volunteers who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which fund the service.
At North Wall Quay in Dublin, Fethard RNLI's Nadia Blanchfield and Kilmore Quays Eugene Kehoe and Michelle Devereux were among a number of RNLI crew from around the country who marked the birthday with the launch of two special edition stamps from An Post.
Meanwhile at Westminster Abbey, volunteers from crews across Wexford attended the special Service of Thanksgiving and joined with colleagues from around Ireland and the UK to mark the foundation of the charity which was founded following a meeting in The London Tavern on this day in 1824.
Representing were Simon Gulliver, David Maguire and Lorraine Galvin of Wexford RNLI, Mick Nicholas of Rosslare Harbour RNLI, Walter Foley of Fethard RNLI, Elaine Walsh, Declan Roche and Robbie Connolly of Kilmore Quay RNLI.
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Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.