Lap Across The Map: Mary Nolan Hickey Rides Again for Arklow RNLI’s 200
Arklow’s RNLI lifeboat station is marking a remarkable milestone in 2026, its 200th anniversary of lifesaving service, and one local woman is once again going the distance to support it.
This latest challenge marks Mary’s third major fundraiser for the RNLI, continuing a legacy of extraordinary personal challenges in aid of the charity. In 2018, at the age of 65, she embarked on her first “Lap Of The Map,” becoming the first woman to run the entire 1,500-mile coastline of Ireland. Over 107 days, her inspiring journey captured national attention and raised approximately €70,000, helping to fund essential new equipment for lifeboat crews.
Not one to rest on her achievements, Mary returned in 2019 with a second Lap Of The Map, this time on two wheels. Cycling around the coast of Ireland, she pushed her fundraising total even further, aiming to reach €100,000 in support of the RNLI’s lifesaving work.
Beyond her fundraising efforts, Hickey is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in Irish athletics. She holds a unique record as the only woman to have completed every single Dublin Marathon from its inception in 1980 through to 2024, an extraordinary testament to her endurance, discipline, and passion for sport. In recognition of her contribution, 2026 saw the introduction of the Mary Nolan Hickey Perpetual Cup, now awarded annually to the winner of the Women’s Elite race.
Fundraising PRO at Arklow lifeboat station Pat Nolan said: "As Arklow celebrates two centuries of RNLI service, Mary Nolan Hickey’s latest journey stands as a powerful tribute, not only to the courage of lifeboat volunteers, but to the enduring spirit of a woman who continues to inspire her community with every mile she travels."
Please support Mary’s journey here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lap-accross-the-map-for-arklow-lifeboats-200th-anniversary
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.