Ireland – Dead Centre

There are four RNLI Lifeboat Stations serving the inland Loughs of Ireland. Today we visited two of them at Lough Derg and Lough Ree.

After a lovely breakfast at our B&B we took the short drive to the shores of the beautiful Lough Derg, It is the largest lake, at 27 miles long and 1 mile wide, fed by Irelands longest river, the Shannon.

Lough Derg Lifeboat Station

At the station we were warmly welcomed by many of the volunteer crew and fundraising team.

We had a cup of tea and a good chat about the station and about our challenge. We then headed outside for several photos in front of their station. The station was established in 2004 after an evaluation of the requirement by the RNLI. Operating out of Lough Derg Yacht Club their modest crew facilities comprise a couple of portacabins and an Atlantic 85 afloat lifeboat. Joining the station in 2019, B-911, Jean Spier was the stations first permanently allocated lifeboat and has seen plenty of active service on the treacherous Lough.

We would like to thank Dr Peter who is their medical advisor, Chairperson Niamh, Operations Manager Christine, Launch Authorities Greg, Fundraisers Anne, Sarah and Brenda and finally recently retired Helm, Eleanor who has served the station since it opened. Eleanor was also honoured with the opportunity to give a reading at the RNLI 200 anniversary service at Westminster Cathedral in 2024.

After a fabulous chat we said our farewells and headed north to our next Lough lifeboat station. Later that afternoon we noted that the Lough Derg Lifeboat was tasked to assist 2 people on a cruiser after suffering engine failure.

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Lough Ree

Just over an hour north we arrived at the Lough Ree lifeboat station situated on the shore at Coosan Point just outside the town of Athlone. The station is the closest to the dead centre of Ireland. Lough Ree is the second largest lake fed by the River Shannon  covering 41 square miles.

At the station we were met by Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave and welcomed into the station. We were joined by Crew members Amy, Treasurer and Fundraising chair Vincent and Admin Officer Mary.

We had a fabulous chat about the station and its crew over a cup of tea and cakes. We were then shown around the impressive station with its large boat house. The station is one of the newest in Ireland being established in 2012. Starting with a temporary base at the Lough Ree Yacht Club, the station were given an Atlantic 75 from the relief fleet before their own boat, an Atlantic 85, was placed on station in 2019. The current station was completed in 2022 and handed over by the then RNLI CEO.

The Atlantic 85, B-920 is named Tara Scougall who sadly passed at a young age of cancer. Tara was a traveller and explorer in her professional life, part of the team responsible for the creation of Expedia, and who also ran an online yachting and boating magazine.

Whilst at the station we also met a young man called Jay who was completing the RNLI Mayday Mile challenge. He was walking 1 mile each day in May to raise money for the charity. The crew got him dressed up in a lifejacket and helmet and took some photos before having him press the station alarm button. This was actually the first time we had heard the distinctive alarm as well. Jay was absolutely delighted when we gave him a cash donation towards his challenge. Such a lovely humble young man.

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Galway Lifeboat Station

A short 30 minute drive along the motorway back to the coast, we arrived in the city of Galway. We parked next to the station located in the new dock area.

We were met at the station by several volunteers including Press Officer Aoife, Mechanic Paddy, shore crew Erin and fundraising chair Collette.

Paddy gave us a great tour of their Atlantic 85 and their station before we enjoyed a cup of tea and biscuits and a good chat about the station.

The Atlantic 85, Binny (B-853) sits on a carriage on tracks and launched via a Davit into the harbour where the crew board her. She joined the station in 2011. The station was established in 1996 after evaluation of the volume of incidents in the Galway Bay area. The station became one of the busiest in Ireland.

After several photos we said our farewells and headed to our accommodation just across the road from the station. The following day, as we disembarked the ferry from Aran Islands we were lucky enough to watch the crew launch the boat on exercise using the Davit.