Garda Band helps to raise funds for Howth RNLI and Malahide Lions Club charities

Conducted by Inspector Pat Kenny, the band kicked off with the rousing traditional tune Sarah’s Delight which got the audience tapping their feet. Garda Charles Kavanagh gave Michael Bublé a run for his money with Frank Sinatra hits including Fly Me To The Moon. The band performed a poignant and haunting rendition of Danny Boy, a tune they usually play at ceremonies to remember their fallen colleagues. Some of the audience took to dancing in the aisles and singing along to Amarillo and Daniel O’Donnell’s hit I just want to dance with you and Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues.
 
The special guest performance was by the St. Oliver Plunkett Junior School Choir in Malahide, which included boys and girls from 2nd and 3rd class under the guidance of their teachers Ms. Annette Curry and Ms. Anne White. They sang a medley of songs including hits by ABBA and rendition of Row Your Boat specially for Howth RNLI.   
 
The event was organised by Malahide Lions Club to help raise money for Howth RNLI and other charities which they support including; St. Francis Hospice, Hugh’s House, C.A.S.A., the Caroline Foundation, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Laura Lynn.
 
Donal O’Meara, President of Malahide Lions Club commented,”
 
 As first responders the Gardaí work closely with Howth RNLI, so it was fitting to have the Garda Band here to help raise money for the local lifeboat. Tonight has also helped to raise funds for other charities in the community which support senior citizens and needy families in the locality”.
 
Rose Michael, Howth RNLI Fundraising Chairperson said,
 
“This evening’s event has been a fantastic success. The money raised tonight will help to cover the costs of kitting out and training our crew, and the running costs of the lifeboat. With holiday season approaching more people will be taking to the water, it will be a busy time for our volunteer lifeboat crew to be saving lives at sea. We don’t receive any funding from government and are totally reliant on the generosity of the community, so every donation is gratefully accepted and greatly appreciated”.
 
***************
 
A Mayday dinner was held in Malahide Yacht Club last Friday (27 May 2016) night to help raise funds for Howth RNLI as part of the charity’s annual national fundraising campaign. 24 people attended the event and contributed to raising € 120 on the night.
 
 
Ends

Notes to editors

Photo Captions (for top story only)
Photo 1
(L-R) Donal O'Meara - President of Malahide Lions Club (MLC), Mary McNamara - Vice-President MLC, Christine Stanley MLC, Jacinta Harley Sub-Committee Chairperson MLC Rose Michael - Fundraising Chairperson Howth RNLI, Inspector Pat Kenny - Garda Band, Paul Douglas and Richard Killen, both MLC.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy
 
Photo 2
Inspector Pat Kenny conducting the Garda Band at the fundraiser in aid of Howth RNLI and Malahide Lions Club charities.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy
 
Photo 3
Ms. Anne White conducting the St. Oliver Plunkett's Junior School Choir from Malahide.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy

Lifeboat Costs
D Class inshore lifeboat - €49,000
Shannon class All-weather lifeboat - €2,400,000
All-weather lifeboat crew full kit - €1,602
Inshore lifeboat lifejacket - €393
Pager - €179
Crew member annual training cost - €1,672
 
Key figures: Lifeboats in Ireland (2015)
1098 launches
1244 People rescued
Crew spent 9,342 hours on service calls
33 launches in winds above force 7
416 launches were in darkness
129 young people under 18 rescued
10 callouts involving animals/mammals
 
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information please contact Tara Murphy, Howth RNLI Volunteer Fundraising Press Officer, on +353861009133 or at [email protected] or contact Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 [email protected]

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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

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