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RNLI pinning hopes on Prime Suspect for glory in Round Ireland Yacht Race

Lifeboats News Release

The RNLI has entered a yacht in the upcoming SSE Renewables Round Ireland race, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the charity.

RNLI Ireland Council member Niamh McCutcheon with Rosslare Harbour Coxswain Keith Miller

RNLI/Niamh Stephenson

RNLI Ireland Council member Niamh McCutcheon with Rosslare Harbour Coxswain Keith Miller

The Round Ireland race is Ireland’s Premier offshore Yacht Race, held every two years and which departs from Wicklow this Saturday (22 June). For this race, the charity is hoping the yacht Prime Suspect, which is representing the RNLI, can beat the competition, in what is a special year for the charity that saves lives at sea.

The SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race 2024 which will start from Wicklow Sailing Club on the 22nd of June 2024, is proudly supporting the RNLI this year, in the charity’s 200th anniversary. As part of this, the team kindly donated a free entry into the race for a yacht.

The yacht is owned by Keith Miller, Donal McLoughlin and Tom O’Connor and was designed by Mark Mills from Wicklow. It was built in Southampton as a once-off. The connection to the RNLI is through Keith Miller, who is a Coxswain on Rosslare Harbour’s Severn class lifeboat. The rest of the crew is made up of Tom O’Connor and his son Myles, Donal McLoughlin, Don Ryan, Brian Uniacke, Dave Kenny, and Conor Shovlin. Tom and Myles are also crew on the Cahore Inshore Rescue boat and often work with the RNLI in search and rescue callouts. The professions onboard range from farmer, teacher, engineer, builder, orthodontist to IT expert, soldier and sailing instructors.

The Round Ireland race is the second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar and Prime Suspects’ crew have a history of racing in it and Fastnet, with just Conor new to sailing, having a couple of Isora races under him.

Commenting on the upcoming race, RNLI Irish Council member Niamh McCutcheon said, ‘I’m delighted that the RNLI has a yacht representing the charity in the Round Ireland race this year. When we were planning our programme of events for the 200th celebrations, this was one that featured highly. This event is so special in the racing calendar, and of course we have a strong history of lifeboats on this island, many of which the competitors will pass along the route.’

Speaking on representing the charity in the Round Ireland Race, Keith Millerr from Rosslare Harbour RNLI added, ‘We are hoping to do the RNLI proud in the race this year. We’ve a lot of experience in our crew but as everyone who sails and races knows, there’s a lot of luck and good timing involved. Three of us on the team have search and rescue background and I’m very proud to be a volunteer with the RNLI on the south-east coast of Ireland. I’ve been involved in a lot of rescues and I know there is huge respect for the RNLI and other agencies from the sailing community. We’d be thrilled to finish up near the top for the 200th year but regardless, we will enjoy the taking part with friends from around the world.’

Another boat to watch with a RNLI link, is Nieulargo with Crosshaven RNLI crew member Molly Murphy and fundraising volunteer Annemarie Fegan on board. They are sailing under the Royal Cork Burgee, and have extensive experience with off shore racing.

Ends

Prime Suspect flying under the RNLI burgee for Round Ireland race

RNLI/Keith Miller

Prime Suspect flying under the RNLI burgee for Round Ireland race
Rosslare Harbour Coxswains Keith Miller with Eamonn O'Rourke

RNLI/Larry Dunne

Rosslare Harbour Coxswains Keith Miller with Eamonn O'Rourke

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, Twitter 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.

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