RNLI Lough Derg Fundraising Cycle – Lap The Lake, May 8 2022

In its most ambitious fundraising event to date, the Lap the Lake cycle, organized by the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Branch, was an immense success. The event, blessed by good weather and good cheer has raised significant funds, essential for the charity's lifesaving activities.

250 cyclists participated in the event which started and finished at the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Dromineer. The 130km route around Lough Derg gave participants the opportunity to delight in the outstanding beauty of the lake and the River Shannon. The riders' safety and well-being were well catered for with First Aid providers, out-riders, marshals, and bike maintenance stops along the route, as well as comfort and refreshments stations.

Niamh McCutcheon, Chairperson of the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee and the ‘Lap the Lake’ Event Committee, said ‘The Inaugural Lap of the Lake cycle around the beautiful Lough Derg covering counties Tipperary, Clare and Galway was enjoyed by cyclists from all over Ireland. The friendly welcome provided by the Marshall’s, RNLI crew and the enthusiastic and well organized committee was much appreciated by all’. Mrs. McCutcheon thanked Lough Derg Yacht Club and all the sponsors of the event, whose generosity also ensured its success.

Feedback from participants praised the attention to detail, safety and comfort; a compliment to the organisational skills of Niamh McCutcheon, Pat Kelly, Caleb and Laura Clarke, Tom Sanders, Anne Atkinson, Bob O Brien, John MacMahon, Sarah Langham and Ted Knight on the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee and, Veronica Plunkett, Ena Butler, Hilda Hamilton, Joe Hughes, Johnathan Horgan, Laura Clarke and Niamh McCutcheon on the Lap the Lake Event Committee.

RNLI Lifeboat volunteers helm Owen Cavanagh, with crew members Doireann Kennedy, Joe O'Donoghue, Ciara Moylan, Ania Skrzypczynska, and Ciara Lynch, who worked in shifts throughout the day, brought the lifeboat Jean Spier to the public harbour in Dromineer and to other harbours around the lake, and were pleased to answer questions about the RNLI, its life-saving work and of course the lifeboat itself.

The fundraising committee would like to thank the many other members of the Lough Derg Lifeboat Station who played major roles in the success of this event. In particular, Aoife Kennedy, Lifeboat Administration Officer and Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) at Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station, who assisted with the registration of participating cyclists and acted as liaison between the fundraising committee and the lifeboat station throughout the event, Chris Parker (Lough Derg RNLI crew member) who acted as Safety Officer, Peter Kennedy (DLA and Station Mechanic) and Caleb Clarke (Hon. Treasurer) who dressed the Yacht Club in RNLI bunting, Christine O'Malley (Lifeboat Operations Manager), Liam Moloney (DLA) and Peter Kennedy who remained on hand to coordinate the lifeboat's manoeuvres and Claire Toohey, Lifeboat Training Coordinator and Manager at Lough Derg Yacht Club who facilitated all activities throughout the day at the yacht club. Richard Nolan (Lough Derg RNLI crew member) and Peter Harty (RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager) who both cycled in the event.

It is still possible to contribute to the fundraising by following this link

https://www.justgiving.com/fun.../lough-derglapofthelake2022

Ends

Notes to editors

• Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
• A photo 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, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [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 News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 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.