Lough Derg RNLI celebrates 20 years lifesaving service on Lough Derg

On Sunday afternoon, 12 May, volunteers past and present at Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station, gathered with their families and RNLI staff members at Lough Derg Yacht Club, to celebrate the lifeboat’s 20 years of service on the lake.

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI and MC for the event, welcomed everyone, especially those who’d travelled long distances to join the celebration.

Christine, a retired Consultant Geriatrician, talked about taking on the role of Lifeboat Operations Manager 5 years earlier, and the ‘steep learning curve’ as she absorbed the responsibilities involved, met the challenges and celebrated the rewards.

Christine introduced Niamh McCutcheon, Chair of the Lough Derg Fundraising Committee and an RNLI Vice-President.

Niamh, who has been fundraising locally for the RNLI for decades before the lifeboat was stationed on Lough Derg, praised the tireless work of the fundraising committee who, in tandem with the volunteer crews, have raised awareness of and donations to the RNLI, thus facilitating the charity’s goals, to save every one. Niamh spoke of her pride in the seeing volunteers from Lough Derg RNLI at the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in March.

Christine invited Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Communicatons Lead for Ireland up to speak. Over the years Niamh and her colleague Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, have made themselves available to offer sage advice and guidance to the station’s lifeboat press officer on all media related matters.
Niamh recalled her first stop over at Lough Derg RNLI, almost 20 year ago, and the warm welcome she received, including the daunting mountain of food volunteers had cooked for her visit.

Niamh spoke about the essential role of media and the bridge it forged between the activities of the lifeboat station and the public. She spoke of how media communications inspired support for the charity and attracted new volunteers to the crew and fundraising, as well as amplifying water safety messages for a new generation.

To thank past volunteers for their continued support, Christine invited Lisa Hollingum, Area Lifesaving Manager, to speak and to present former crew with RNLI200 badges. Lisa commended the volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI for their dedication and commitment to maintaining the RNLIs high standard in all they do. Lisa said she looked forward to visiting the station again soon.

Liam Maloney, Launching Authority and former Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, Dr Peter Hooker, Lifeboat Medical Advisor and Eleanor Hooker, Volunteer Helm and Lifeboat Press Officer had asked that Helena Duggan, RNLI Assessor/Trainer at Lough Derg RNLI from 2003 until 2022, present them with their 20 year Long Service Medals.

Helena recalled her early visits to the new lifeboat station at Lough Derg with her colleagues, the late Michael Carmody and Derek Potter, and the enthusiasm from volunteers as the station became established. In a philosophical consideration of time, Helena stressed that the RNLI hugely appreciates the hours volunteers put into training, exercises and Shouts, and that ‘every second you give to the RNLI is precious time, your time, and is never taken for granted’. She made special mention too of the sacrifices and allowances families make so that volunteers may volunteer. Helena described the vast network of people, volunteers and staff, who work as a team to make the RNLI the organisation it is today. Helena noted that at 'one stage, Lough Derg RNLI had more female volunteer crew than at any other lifeboat station'.

The crew were honoured that Seán Ginnelly, our current Assessor/Trainer should travel all the way from Achill to join us in our celebrations.

After receiving his medal from Helena, Liam Maloney, former Lifeboat Operations Manager and now Launching Authority, gave a moving history of the origins of the RNLI lifeboat station on the lake. He acknowledged the successful proposal made to the RNLI by Teddy Knight and Charles Stanley Smith.
Carrig Primary School, where Liam was headmaster, provided a venue for new volunteers to have shore training in the year before the lifeboat went live for service on April 24 2004. He smiled as he told us he taught many of past and current volunteers in the room. Liam recollected previous callouts, his anxiety for crew out in testing conditions, and one in particular on a St. Stephen’s Day morning that, thankfully, had a positive outcome. Liam made special mention of the recently departed Pat Kelly, a volunteer at Lough Derg RNLI both in Operations and on the fundraising committee.

Eleanor Hooker, Helm and Lifeboat Press Officer, thanked Aoife Kennedy, Lifeboat Station Administrator and Launching Authority and her sister Doireann Kennedy, Volunteer Crew, for organising the entire event, including having volunteers bake and cook for the reception to follow the speeches.

Eleanor recollected earlier times with former volunteers and the collegiate spirit amongst all at the station. She spoke of the mutual trust and teamwork; essential ingredients at a lifeboat station. Eleanor welcomed James Corballis, an RNLI volunteer who has moved to the area from Galway RNLI, to the station. She congratulated Laura Clarke, Chair of the Lap the Lake Fundraising Commitree on the incredible success of the RNLI charity cycle the previous day.

On receiving his Long Service Medal, Dr Peter Hooker, Lifeboat Medical Advisor (and Consultant Anaesthesist) joked that ‘normally people fall asleep after a few minutes of my talking to them’, and so promised he would keep his words brief. He said it was an honour to be a part of the Lough Derg RNLI team and wanted, especially to thank Helena for her years of teaching and care and friendship at the station.

Christine thanked all present and invited the assembly to move upstairs to enjoy an afternoon tea.

Of the event Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said ‘it was lovely to see so many people who have supported the Lifeboat Station over the years, whether on the water, off the water, through Fundraising or the RNLI support team. These are the people who helped make the Lifeboat Station into the excellent service we have today. It was great to acknowledge the remarkable 20 years of commitment to the Station from Liam Maloney, Eleanor Hooker and Peter Hooker with Long Service Awards from the RNLI. A huge thank you to all our Volunteers, past and present, and to their families, who have all given so much to create and sustain this Lifesaving service on Lough Derg.’

Ends     

Notes to editors        

More photographs of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/           

RNLI media contacts        

For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [email protected]

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

RNLI at 200

In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.