Hollywood star Brendan Gleeson attends RNLI Ladies Lunch in aid of Howth RNLI

When asked what motivated him to support the RNLI he responded, ‘The RNLI is an incredible organisation. I’m full of admiration for the work that they do. Many years ago I spent time filming on an RNLI lifeboat in South Wales, and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to get to know the crew well. Last year Howth RNLI was the busiest lifeboat station on the coast of Ireland. It’s an honour to be here today, and it’s great to live in Howth among a bunch of heroes’. 
 
Mr. Gleeson, who is one of Ireland’s most prolific actors on stage and screen, is best known for his roles in The Guard, the Harry Potter films and Braveheart, happily mingled with the guests at the sold-out event, and patiently posed for numerous photographs and selfies.
 
He gave an insightful and thought-provoking speech about the life-saving work of the RNLI, and how the volunteer crewmembers and the people they rescue are so interlinked with local communities. He spoke about the lessening of anxiety and sense of reassurance a community has, knowing that the lifeboat will come to their aid if needed. Mr. Gleeson also mentioned a line from a Seamus Heaney poem about the economy of kindness, and remarked on the dignity the lifeboat crews show to those in their care. He praised the life-saving volunteers and described them as noble, selfless, strong minded and compassionate, who exhibited Navy discipline with maximum efficiency and safety while maintaining a sense of mutual respect and comradeship for their crew mates. 
 
Rose Michael, Howth RNLI Fundraising Chairperson, commented, ‘ We are thrilled to have Brendan here today. He has a deep respect and genuine understanding of the sacrifices and challenges that our volunteer lifeboat crewmembers face every time they are called out on a rescue. We greatly appreciate that he has taken time out of his very busy schedule to be here with us. The funds today raised will go towards the costs of on-going training and crew kits for the lifeboat crew ’.
 
Ends
 
Notes to editors 
Photo 1: Hollywood star Brendan Gleeson at the RNLI Ladies Lunch at Howth Yacht Club in aid of Howth RNLI.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy
Photo 2: (L-R) Maura Farrell, Anne-Marie O'Daly, Brendan Gleeson, Gerardine MacLoughlin and Maeve Derham.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy
Photo 3: (L-R) Rita Condon, Kay Hutton, Bernadette Howard and Lorraine Greenhall.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy
Photo 4: (L-R) Noreen Branagan, Deirdre, Marie Griffin and Jackie Reville.
Photo Credit: Tara Murphy 
 
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.

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