Chef Clodagh McKenna serves up a fish supper treat for RNLI lifeboat crew
Clodagh McKenna, celebrated chef, food writer and television personality, has visited Howth Lifeboat Station in County Dublin, where she treated the volunteer crew to a delicious Fish Supper.
Clodagh’s visit marks the countdown to the RNLI’s upcoming foodie fundraiser, Fish Supper.
The charity is encouraging people across Ireland to host a fish-themed dinner between 14–16 October 2016 to raise funds to help save lives at sea.
Clodagh served a three course meal for the lifeboat crew, starting with fresh Dingle crab cakes with Irish heirloom tomatoes and fennel aioli. The main dish was pan-fried sea bass with hazelnut butter with dill potato dumplings and autumn vegetable salad. For dessert, the crew were treated to Clodagh’s chocolate Guinness cake.
Speaking at Howth Lifeboat Station, Clodagh said: ‘It was an absolute pleasure to cook for the Howth volunteer lifeboat crew. My grandpop and uncle were both fishermen, so the work of the RNLI is very close to my heart. When I was filming my series Fresh From the Sea for RTE, I was lucky enough to get to see the work of the RNLI first hand. Please sign up to make a Fish Supper and help the courageous crews save more lives at sea.’
Last year, RNLI volunteer crew members across Ireland and the UK missed nearly 7,000* evening meals with their loved ones to brave cold, angry and often dangerous waters to save lives.
Fish Supper aims to highlight the disrupted dinners RNLI crew experience day-in-day-out, and the commitment shown not only by them but their families, who often have an empty place at the dinner table. RNLI volunteers give up their time, comfort and often home cooked meals to respond immediately when the pagers go off.
Howth RNLI Mechanic, Ian Sheridan said: ‘Our lifeboat crew here in Howth and indeed across Ireland, are prepared to drop everything and respond to a call out at a moment’s notice. Our lifesaving work is essential and often challenging and dangerous. As volunteers, we are extremely grateful to people who donate so generously and host fundraising events such as Fish Supper to enable us to do what we do.’
To request your free fundraising pack and receive more information, visit RNLI.org/FishSupper. You’ll find recipes, party game ideas and place name cards to help the evening go well.
Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews in Ireland had 1,098 lifeboat launches bringing 1,244 people to safety. At 45 lifeboat stations around the Irish coast and on inland waters, the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew were on call in all weathers. Of the recorded launches, 416 were carried out in the hours of darkness.
Ends
Notes to Editors
*Meal times are classed between 5pm and 8pm
Follow the hashtag #RNLIFishSupper for updates on the campaign.
One minute videos of recipes and origami napkin folding are available by clicking on the following links: Fish curry, Fish cakes, Fish wrapper, Origami napkin video.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected]
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit RNLI.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre RNLI.org/press
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 237 lifeboat stations around Ireland and the UK with 45 operational lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard 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 141,500 lives.
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.