20 years a lifesaving service

As the RNLI commemorates the charity’s 200 years of lifesaving this year, Lough Derg RNLI celebrated 20-years service on Lough Derg.

On Sunday afternoon, May 12, volunteers past and present at Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station, gathered with their families and RNLI staff members at Lough Derg Yacht Club, to celebrate the lifeboat’s 20 years of service on the lake.

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI and MC for the event, welcomed everyone, to the celebration.

Christine, a retired Consultant Geriatrician, talked about taking on the role of Lifeboat Operations Manager five years earlier, and meeting the challenges of that role. Niamh McCutcheon, Chairperson of the Lough Derg Fundraising Committee and an RNLI Vice-President, has been fundraising locally for the RNLI for decades before the lifeboat was stationed on Lough Derg. She praised the tireless work of the fundraising committee who, in tandem with the volunteer crews, have raised awareness of and donations to the RNLI. Niamh also spoke of her pride in the seeing volunteers from Lough Derg RNLI at the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in March.

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Communications Lead for Ireland, recalled her first stopover at Lough Derg RNLI, almost 20 year ago, and the warm welcome she received. She spoke about the essential role of media and the bridge it forged between the activities of the lifeboat station and the public.

Lisa Hollingum, Area Lifesaving Manager, then presented former crew with RNLI200 badges. Lisa commended the volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI for their dedication and commitment to maintaining the RNLIs high standard in all they do.

Liam Maloney, Launching Authority and former Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, Dr Peter Hooker, Lifeboat Medical Advisor and Eleanor Hooker, Volunteer Helm and Lifeboat Press Officer, had asked that Helena Duggan, RNLI Assessor/Trainer at Lough Derg RNLI from 2003 until 2022, present them with their 20 year Long Service Medals.

Helena recalled her early visits to the new lifeboat station at Lough Derg with her colleagues and the enthusiasm from volunteers as the station became established. She made special mention of the sacrifices and allowances families make so that volunteers may volunteer.

The crew were honoured that Seán Ginnelly, the RNLI’s current assessor/trainer should travel all the way from Achill to join the celebrations.

After receiving his medal from Helena, Liam Maloney, former Lifeboat Operations Manager and now Launching Authority, gave a moving history of the origins of the RNLI lifeboat station on the lake. He acknowledged the successful proposal made to the RNLI by Teddy Knight and Charles Stanley Smith. Carrig Primary School, where Liam was headmaster, provided a venue for new volunteers to have shore training in the year before the lifeboat went live for service on April 24, 2004. Liam recollected previous callouts, his anxiety for crew out in testing conditions.

Eleanor Hooker, Helm and Lifeboat Press Officer, thanked Aoife Kennedy, Lifeboat Station Administrator and Launching Authority and her sister Doireann Kennedy, Volunteer Crew, for organising the entire event, including having volunteers bake and cook for the reception to follow the speeches.

Eleanor recollected earlier times with former volunteers and the collegiate spirit amongst all at the station. She welcomed James Corballis, an RNLI volunteer who has moved to the area from Galway RNLI, to the station. She congratulated Laura Clarke, Chairperson of the Lap the Lake Fundraising Committee on the incredible success of the recent RNLI charity cycle.

On receiving his Long Service Medal, Dr Peter Hooker, Lifeboat Medical Advisor, said it was an honour to be a part of the Lough Derg RNLI team and wanted, to thank Helena for her years of teaching and care and friendship at the station.

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “It was lovely to see so many people who have supported the RNLI Lifeboat Station over the years, whether on the water, off the water, through Fundraising or the RNLI support team. It was great to acknowledge the remarkable 20 years of commitment to the Station from Liam Maloney, Eleanor Hooker and Peter Hooker with Long Service Awards from the RNLI. A huge thank you to all our Volunteers, past and present, and to their families, who have all given so much to create and sustain this Lifesaving service on Lough Derg.”