Aran Islands RNLI honours dedicated volunteers
The Aran Islands RNLI held their annual Christmas party on Saturday (29 November) and acknowledged its dedicated volunteers after a busy year of saving lives at Sea.
Volunteers and their families gathered on Saturday night to celebrate and acknowledge a busy year for the Aran Islands RNLI.
The evening began with plaques that were designed and made by Launch Authority, Fionn Ó Flaithearta. The plaques are awarded to volunteer crew members who reach 50 call outs during their service.
The first to receive a plaque was Daniel O’ Connell who has completed 250 call outs over his 15 years of service. Station Coxswain, Aonghus Ó hIarnáin received his plaque for 175 call outs in 15 years and Volunteer Coxswain Noel Seoighe received his plaque for 50 call outs in 15 years.
Station Mechanic Máirtín Coyne was awarded a medal for his 30 years of service and dedication to the station. He was also awarded a plaque for responding to 325 call outs throughout those 30 years as a volunteer and mechanic.
A certificate of thanks was presented to Lena O’Connell who has been volunteering for a number of years with the Aran Islands Station. Lena has been a key member in the fundraising committee and volunteers in the RNLI shop.
The Irish Coast Guard tasked the Aran Islands Lifeboat to respond to reports of a casualty at the Cliffs of Moher. After a strenuous 6-hour callout, the crew had recovered the casualty. The RNLI acknowledged the crew who had demonstrated courage, professionalism, and teamwork throughout the call.
There was a special award presented to volunteer crew member Joe Gill. Joe retired earlier this year after 35 years of service. He was awarded a Certificate of Service from the Chief Executive of the RNLI, Peter Sparkes, thanking him for his dedication to the RNLI.
During his service with the Aran Islands Lifeboat, Joe had saved 59 lives at sea and had completed 275 call outs. He proudly volunteered alongside his two sons, Máirtín & Pádraig Ó Goill.
Speaking to Station Coxswain, Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, he said: ‘Our volunteers dedicate their time to serving the community so it is nice that we can give back to them and their families.
‘We’re sad to see Joe hang up his yellow wellies after 35 years of service. He’s been an essential part of the crew and was always there to respond to the pager whether it was early in the morning or late at night. We are thankful for his dedication and commitment to the lifeboat throughout the years and wish him the absolute best for the future.
Ends
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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