Arranmore RNLI celebrates International Women’s Day

Since the founding of the lifesaving organisation in 1824, women have been an integral part of the service. In the early days of the RNLI, the lifeboats were crewed by men with knowledge of the sea while the women worked in the background helping to launch the lifeboats, supporting their husbands, fathers and sons when called to save lives at sea and helping to raise funds for the voluntary organisation.

Now, women are to the fore serving alongside their male counterparts saving lives at sea.

Arranmore RNLI’s first female crew member, Nora Flanagan served on the lifeboat for seven years and is now the island’s Lifeboat Press Officer. There are four female crew members from different backgrounds serving on the lifeboat. Sharon O’Donnell has been a crew member for 10 years and runs the Naoinra ( children’s play school) on the island and along with her two sons, plans to row from the Canary Islands to Antigua, a journey of 3,000 miles in December.

Julie Savoie, originally from Canada moved to the island over two years ago, works remotely and is also a fitness instructor. Aisling Cox is a teacher on Arranmore and joined the crew three years ago working alongside her father who was also a crew member. The newest crew recruit is Áine Boyle who is undergoing training in saving lives at sea. In keeping with the family volunteer ethos, Áine’s father John is also a long serving crew member.

The crew were joined for a photo opportunity by the women of Arranmore RNLI's fundraising committee. Sadie Bonner has been involved in fundraising for Arranmore RNLI for 10 years and was joined by Shauna Bonner in 2025. Shauna’s father served as Coxswain on the lifeboat and she is continuing the RNLI family tradition.

Nora Flanagan, Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘It has been a great privilege working with the Arranmore RNLI for the last 32 years in various roles and I am delighted to see so many women joining the crew. The training provided by the RNLI in all aspects of saving lives is second to none and I would certainly encourage anyone living on Arranmore to join this vital lifesaving service.'

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RNLI Media Contact

For more information, contact Nora Flanagan, Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected]

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 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.