Achill Island RNLI

23/10/2026

Achill Lifeboat Station revisited!

Our Lifeboat Station had a visit today from friends who rolled back the years, 30 years in fact. For it was in 1996, the year our station was established that Gerard Gosset and his friends from Belgium visited Achill and called by our station. He was so taken by the beauty of our island where he stopped to take a photo of our Lifeboat. He called by today where he was met by our Coxwain, Dave Curtis and our Station Mechanic, Michael Cattigan. He presented them with the original photograph he took back in 1996 of our first lifeboat, the Waveney class RNLB ‘Helen Turnbull’. Raymond and his friends who are musicians, came to Ireland in 1996 to play a concert, he was delighted to see that a lifeboat was still on anchor in the same location. Dave and Michael gave them a tour of the Lifeboat Station and showed them the 30th Anniversary Plaque which was unveiled by the President of Ireland Catherine Connolly on the 6th of June this year. Gerard and his friends are touring Ireland again this year with his band, ‘Magellan Dream’.

16/10/2026

‘The Big Fish Supper’ - Save the Date!

Having cancelled last years event as a mark of respect following the passing of our former Chairman, Michael Edward Lavelle whom we know will be looking down on us this year, we are delighted to announce that’The Big Fish Supper’ is back again.
It will take place in the usual venue, Óstán Oiléan Acla (Alice’s) at Achill
Sound on Saturday 14th of November, 2026 between 7pm and 9.30pm with the usual music on the night again from the brilliant ‘Lifeboat Quartet’.
Tickets at €25 each with children half price have just gone on sale with Kathleen at the Achill Sound Post Office, Chris at the Achill Tourist Office and with Mary by phone at 087 6229104.
As well as the usual Door Prize and raffle we will have the draw for the winner of the beautiful seascape painting in oils ‘Waiting for the Tide’ which was so kindly donated to us last year by our local artist Seosamh Ó Dalaigh.
So save the date, 14th November, 2026 for the ‘Big Fish Supper’ at Alice’s in Achill Sound, join us on our 30th Anniversary year and support your local Lifeboat in .

15/10/2026

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS THIS SUNDAY!

We would still love to hear from anyone who would like to apply for any of the three roles we are recruiting for at the minute - Lifeboat Operations Manager, Lifeboat Press Officer and Lifeboat Treasurer.
Read more about what is involved and apply using the links before the closing date this Sunday.

We are recruiting here at Achill Island RNLI and would love to hear from you if you would like to apply for any of the below volunteer roles.
Please click on each link to find out more about what is involved and how to apply.
The closing date is Sunday, 18 October.

Lifeboat Operations Manager:
http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-operations-manager---achill-island-619825.html

Lifeboat Press Officer:
http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-press-officer---achill-619836.html

Lifeboat Treasurer:
http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-treasurer---achill-619831.html

29/09/2026

Could you be a lifesaver?

We are actively recruiting for new volunteers and are specifically looking for a Lifeboat Operations Manager to lead the team, a new Lifeboat Press Officer to raise awareness of the station’s lifesaving work and a Station Treasurer. The recruitment process is open and we are looking for applications before the closing date on Sunday, 18 October.

As we continue to mark a milestone year and commemorate and celebrate the service provided by the lifeboat and its many volunteers over the past three decades, we are also looking to the future and now is an exciting time to join and take on one of these vital roles.

The Lifeboat Operations Manager provides leadership for the station’s operations team and ensures that all operational activities are carried out to maintain the lifeboat and the associated equipment so that the station is in a constant state of readiness for launching. Along with a panel of Launch Authorities, the Lifeboat Operations Manager is also responsible for authorising the launch of the lifeboat when someone is in need.

The role is best suited to someone living or working within the Achill Island area or nearby. The ideal candidate will be a team player and a good communicator with leadership skills and an ability to proactively lead recruitment. While full training is provided for the role, having some local maritime and RNLI knowledge along with IT literate skills, is an advantage.

The Lifeboat Press Officer, meanwhile, is responsible for raising the profile of the station and the lifesaving work of our volunteers across local traditional, digital and social media. The successful candidate will keep local media informed of lifesaving activity, promote newsworthy rescues, lifeboat station events and RNLI campaigns via a variety of channels. The role is suited to someone who can be flexible and available to answer media enquiries and support station representatives and crew members ahead of interviews. An interest in digital media, video editing and photography is an advantage.

The Station Treasurer ensures that the financial activity of the station is conducted in accordance with RNLI regulations. The ideal candidate will be able to handle money confidently, have a knowledge of accounting procedures and have a willingness to learn about and adhere to the RNLI’s financial procedures.

Amy O’Connor, RNLI Area Operations Manager said: ‘The three roles we are seeking will be key to the successful day to day operation of the station in Achill so we would appeal to anyone who thinks they match the criteria or who may know someone who does, to please get in touch or spread the word.

‘Volunteering will see the successful candidates make a difference in their local community and will see them save lives while learning new skills. These are busy but rewarding roles for the right candidates and I would encourage anyone who thinks they may have the time and the skills, to please go for it and put their application in.’

To find out more about each role and to apply before Sunday, 18 October, see the links below.

Lifeboat Operations Manager: http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-operations-manager---achill-island-619825.html

Lifeboat Press Officer: http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-press-officer---achill-619836.html

Lifeboat Treasurer: http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-treasurer---achill-619831.html

18/09/2026

We are recruiting here at Achill Island RNLI and would love to hear from you if you would like to apply for any of the below volunteer roles.
Please click on each link to find out more about what is involved and how to apply.
The closing date is Sunday, 18 October.

Lifeboat Operations Manager:
http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-operations-manager---achill-island-619825.html

Lifeboat Press Officer:
http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-press-officer---achill-619836.html

Lifeboat Treasurer:
http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-treasurer---achill-619831.html

08/09/2026

Passing of Bill Turner, RIP.

It is with deep sadness and regret that we record the passing yesterday of our dear friend and former crewman and fundraiser Bill Turner of Mewillian, Currane, Achill, following a long illness bravery born. Bill was sadly predeceased by his son Leighton in 2018. We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife Marian, his son Aaron, daughter in law Karen and his adored grandchildren Kate and Sam, his relatives, neighbours and friends on the sad loss of Bill.
Bill served as crewman and fundraiser on the Lifeboat for over 15 years, in which time he took part in many notable rescues on which many lives were saved. He made many friends in the lifeboat stations around the coasts of Ireland and the UK on the various lifeboat passages he undertook over the years.
Bill left a lasting impression on everyone he met and you always felt the better for meeting him. He always represented the RNLI and our Achill Lifeboat to the highest traditions of the Institution.
Rest in peace, shipmate, with fair winds on your last journey after a good job, well done.

26/08/2026

Our volunteer crew at Achill Island RNLI joined our colleagues from RNLI Clifden Lifeboats along with Cleggan Coast Guard and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo, in a wide scale search operation late on Monday night (24 August).

The call out came at 10.30pm when members of the public reported seeing a distress flare launched in an area of water between Renvyle and Clare Island.

Over a number of hours, RNLI volunteer crew on three lifeboats and our Coast Guard colleagues carried out a comprehensive search of a large area of sea. With no sightings or further reports of anyone in distress, all assets were stood down around 1.15am and prepared to return to station.

Clifden RNLI’s Atlantic 85 did not return to base however, because the crew were requested to an additional call at Killary Harbour. Two hikers had descended Mweelrea Mountain, were stranded on the rocky shore and couldn’t find their boat in the darkness. Clifden RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew were able to locate the hikers, once assured they were uninjured and in good spirits they transported the casualties back to shore at the south side of Killary Harbour.

We were also requested yesterday evening (Tuesday) at approximately 5.30pm to assist the Irish Coast helicopter from Sligo with a medical evacuation from Clare Island.

Well done and thanks to all involved.

20/08/2026

We are looking for a new Station Treasurer to join our team here at Achill RNLI.
To find out more about what is involved and to apply, click here: http://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/treasurer---achill-618063.html

Closing date for applications is Sunday, 20 September.

The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Achill is looking for a volunteer to join the existing team in the role of Lifeboat Treasurer. 

15/08/2026

Achill Beg Day - What a day!

Our Fundraising Team were delighted to attend the fantastic Kildavnet Festival on the beautiful Trá na Bó Deirge beach on the amazing Achill Beg Island today. Great credit must go to the festival organising committee for the way they successfully organised this unique biannual event. To transport several hundred people of all ages safely and securely in short order from Cloughmore to Achill Beg was a feat of efficient organisation by the festival committee and the crew of the .
On the island there was amazing food to be enjoyed , pop up pubs, music and games on the beach for all ages. We were graced with a visit from the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian who are on holidays in nearby Dooega. They joined an energetic and historic walking tour of the island led by that brilliant guide and festival organiser, Vivian Ruddy.
Our Lifeboat Gazebo had a busy day with people calling to donate for our Lifeboat T-shirts and buy lines for the beautiful painting so kindly donated to us by the well known local artist Seosamh Ó Dalaigh as well as putting money in our Lifeboat box. Thank you to all who did so and to the Kildavnet Festival Committee for putting on this wonderful day for our community and visitors alike. Roll on Achill Beg Day 2028!

13/08/2026

Our team here at Achill Island RNLI were involved in a 16 hour call out yesterday to bring 25 people onboard a 24m sailing vessel to safety.

We were requested to launch at 4.30am yesterday morning (Wednesday 12 August) to reports of a 24m sailing vessel with 25 people onboard, which had made contact with a fish farm one mile east of Clare Island, off the Mayo coast. The vessel was reported to be taking on water.

Our all-weather lifeboat launched under Coxswain Dave Curtis and with mechanic Michael Cattigan, navigator Terry Hogarth and crew members Patrick McNamara, Kevin Cattigan and Orlagh Blake-Dillon onboard and proceeded to the scene for the crew to assess the situation. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo was also tasked.

On arrival and with the vessel taking on water, it was decided that the safest course of immediate action was to transfer 16 non-essential crew members from the vessel and bring them safely to shore nearby at Clare Island.

The lifeboat crew then returned to the scene to monitor the vessel that was taking on water and remained there until the situation was brought under control by the fish farm. Once this was done, the lifeboat proceeded to Clare Island where the 16 crew were transferred back on to the lifeboat and brought safely to shore at Achill Island. The lifeboat crew then returned to the scene and monitored the situation until the sailing vessel was removed from the fish farm. The lifeboat then safely escorted it back to Achill, arriving at 8pm.

Speaking following the call out, Dave Curtis, Achill Island RNLI Coxswain said: ‘This was a lengthy call out for our volunteers commencing in the early hours of Wednesday morning and not finishing to late yesterday evening and they deserve great credit for a job well done.
‘We would like to commend those on the sailing vessel, those working for the fish farm and everyone else involved yesterday including the Clare Island nurse and the community centre staff. Everyone worked together in challenging circumstances to help bring the crew to safety and to monitor an ongoing situation where a vessel was taking on water and needed to be freed from the farm. This was a time-consuming process but the efforts of all involved ensured everyone came ashore safely.’

Photos: David McGloin, Michael Doogan and Achill Island RNLI.