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RNLI to take part in National Services Day celebrations across Ireland
Volunteers from the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea and on inland waters, will join other emergency, frontline and voluntary services for National Services Day, a nationwide day of events on Saturday 5 September to celebrate those who serve their communities.
National Services Day events will take place around Ireland on Saturday 5 September, including in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Galway, Naas, Kilkenny and Drogheda. In Galway, National Services Day will place a special spotlight on maritime and water safety services while in Dublin, there will be a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony at the National Garden of Remembrance, providing a moment of reflection before the day’s celebrations and displays.
National Services Day provides an opportunity for the public to meet some of the people behind the lifesaving service, learn about their work and find out how they can help people to stay safe on or near water.
Lorraine Galvin, Wexford RNLI helm and National Services Day board member said: ‘National Services Day is a fantastic opportunity to bring the public together with the people who volunteer their time to help others. Our volunteer lifeboat crews are proud to play their part in keeping people safe around Ireland’s coast and waterways. We’re looking forward to meeting members of the public, sharing more about what our volunteers do and helping people understand how they can enjoy the water safely.
'The theme of this year’s National Services Day – Celebrate, Commemorate, Inspire – is meaningful for the RNLI. We celebrate the commitment of our volunteers, remember those who have lost their lives while serving others, and hope to inspire the next generation of volunteers and supporters.’
The RNLI is encouraging families and young people to come along to National Services Day events and meet the people who work and volunteer to keep their communities safe.
National Services Day 2026 was officially launched at Trinity College Dublin yesterday, ahead of events taking place in communities across Ireland.
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RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact: Lorraine Galvin, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Wexford RNLI at [email protected]
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.