Achill Island RNLI

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Achill Island RNLI

A charity proudly saving lives at sea in an area between Blacksod Bay and Inishturk since 1996. Part of the RNLI, we are the charity that saves lives at sea.

Located on Ireland’s rugged Wild Atlantic Way, Achill Island’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat is ready to help the offshore island communities and deep seafarers alike. Our volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland, and our seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. Our Flood Rescue Team helps those affected by flooding. RNLI crews and lifeguards

have saved over 142,700 lives since 1824 but we’re more than a rescue service. We influence, supervise and educate people too. Our Community Safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast. And our international teams work with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning in communities at risk all around the world.

07/06/2026

President Connolly visits our Lifeboat Station

We were truly honoured yesterday when Uachtarán na h Éireann, Catherine Connolly visited our Lifeboat Station and unveiled a beautiful marble plaque to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Lifeboat service on Achill Island .
In beautiful sunshine the Achill Lifeboat family was joined by the President, our Chief Executive of the RNLI, Mr Peter Sparkes, Trustee of the RNLI Mr John Killeen, Minister Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State Alan Dillon, TD, Mr Paul Lawless, TD, and Councillor Paul McNamara. The President toured the Lifeboat Station and our all weather Lifeboat, ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ which was alongside the pontoon at Cé Bheag. We were joined on the day by a large number from our local community to witness the unveiling of the plaque by the President. Ciarán Needham, the Lifebost Operations Manage welcomed the President and invited ger to sign the Visitor’s Book. Anthony McNamara gave a brief outline of the history of the station and introduced the Chief Executive who also welcomed the President and congratulated the Station on its services over the past 30 years. The Lifeboat Prayer was recited by the Reverend Suzanne Cousins and Fr Ignatius Chassilary who also blessed the plaque. Presentations to the President were made by children of the crew, Finn McGreal, Chloe Cattigan and Diarmuid Cattigan and from the Achill Men’s Shed by Michael Lavelle. We must acknowledge the great help and support in organising the visit from the local community and the following organisations: An Garda Siochana, The Irish Coastguard who also arranged a ‘fly past’ by their fixed wing aircraft, the Achill Order of Malta, Mayo Civil Defence, Mayo County Council staff, Achill Men’s Shed. We are so grateful to the Dooagh Pipe Band who entertained everyone and played the Presidential salute as the President took her seat. We are also grateful to the Achill Community Garden who prepared the environs of the Station with an array of beautiful flowers and plants for the visit.
Delicious food was supplied and served by Peter and Loretta Connaughton. A shuttle service operated through out the event from Pattens Lounge to the Lifeboat Station provided by TFI through the good offices of Sarah Togher and Michéal O’Hehir.
The service still goes on and after 30 years and with well over a hundred men and women having volunteered in that time, we still need volunteers to crew our lifeboat and raise funds for the years to come. So if you are living in Achill and feel you would like to join our crew you will be made most welcome, just speak with our Coxwain Dave Curtis or Station Mechanic Michael Cattigan. Our photographs taken by John O’Grady show the President about to go on board the Lifeboat with the Dave Curtis, Michael Cattigan, Tomás Ruddy, Patrick McNamara and Ivan Swarbrigg; the Plaque which was generously donated by Michael Gallagher, Dooniver; President Connolly after the unveiling, Dooagh Pipe Band and a group photo of the Achill Island Lifeboat family.
Finally thank you to everyone who came along on the day to celebrate the occasion with us as we look forward to the next 30 years in .

05/05/2026

238 RNLI LIFEBOAT STATION CHALLENGE

To mark the 200 anniversary of the foundation of the RNLI in 2024, Helen and Allen Thornhill set out on a huge challenge to visit the entire 238 Lifeboat Stations around the coasts and waterways of the UK and Ireland to raise funds along the way for the lifeboats.
Today they hit lifeboat station 213 when they arrived at the Lifeboat Station where they were met by out Lifeboat Operations Manager, Ciarán Needham, Coxwain, Dave Curtis, Station Mechanic, Michael Cattigan, Station Visits Officer and Crew Member Orlagh Blake Dillon and Crew Member, Francis Blake Dillon.
Tomorrow they will visit our Flank Stations at Ballyglass and Belmullet. You can support their efforts by donating on line via their 238 RNLI Lifeboat Station Challenge.

01/05/2026

‘Mayday’ Collection at Achill Sound

Tomorrow, Saturday our fundraisers will be out all day at Achill Sound on our annual ‘Mayday’ collection in support of our Lifeboat. This is an important event for us and the community are most generous to us every year. We will have collection points at SuperValu and Sweeney’s Hardware as well as at the Davitt Quarter. This year, as well as cash people will be able to donate by card as all our collectors will have a ‘tap and pay’ unit as less and less people carry cash nowadays.
We look forward to meeting our supporters tomorrow and thank them in advance for their ongoing support for our Lifeboat. And just a reminder that our campaign for new crew members and a Launching Authority is still underway, the contact details can be found elsewhere on this page. Your support, by any means or capacity is vital to help in .

28/04/2026

The Dolphins are back!
On a recent training exercise the crew of our Lifeboat ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ happened across a lively pod of dolphin mammals at play in Clew Bay. Our crew member Alex Blackmun was at hand on the bow to record the playful pod as they paced effortlessly with the lifeboat.
A recruitment campaign is presently underway for crew and the position of Launch Authority at our Lifeboat Station. If you are resident in Achill and feel you would like to become involved you can contact our Lifeboat Operations Manager Ciarán Needham, Coxwain Dave Curtis, or our Station Mechanic Michael Cattigan who will give you all the information you need and assist you in every way. In this the 30th Anniversary of our Lifeboat Station has become an established tradition which has been achieved by the generous spirit of volunteerism from our community.

20/04/2026

🚨 We’re looking for volunteers! Help us to spread the word🚨

Achill RNLI is recruiting for a number of volunteer roles at the station. No maritime experience is needed.

If you want to make a real difference in your community, learn new skills, and be part of a dedicated lifesaving team, this could be for you.

No previous experience is necessary—full training is provided. What matters most is commitment, teamwork, and a willingness to help others when it counts.

📍 Based in Achill
🌊 Supporting lifesaving work at sea
🤝 Open to new volunteers now

For more details scan the QR code or go to https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities?display=Grid&resultsPerPage=16&lat=53.9619505&lon=-10.015335&radius=1000&location=achill

18/04/2026

Thanks to the Achill Wheelers Cycling Club

Once again we are so grateful to the members of our very successful local cycling club who are presently undertaking a fundraising cycle from Lifeboat Station to our flank lifeboat station at Clifden, a return journey of over 230km to support our Lifeboat. Pictured below before setting off are Rob, Tomás, Meibh, Martin, Anton, Fran and Michael with Dave and Ciarán from the lifeboat. Micheál Mack (not in the pic) is also on the trip.
The intrepid Achill Wheelers have in the past pedalled from Dublin to Achill raising large amounts of money for the Achill RNLI. We are indebted to them and thank them so much for their ongoing support to our volunteer crew who are ever ready and standing by for .

30/03/2026

Very Generous Donation from Preston.

The Fundraising Branch of the Lifeboat have just received a very generous donation of €1,000.00 from the organisers of the Achill/Preston (UK) Dance 2025. We are a registered charity that depends entirely on donations , such as this, from the public to enable our crew of volunteers to save lives and rescue seafarers from the seas around our coast. We are so grateful to the organisers of this annual event who support so many good causes on our island every year.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.

19/03/2026

𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰- 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮

We are launching a major recruitment campaign for new volunteers to join our team here at Achill Island RNLI.

We are particularly keen to recruit new lifeboat crew, new Launch Authorities and a new Water Safety Advisor.

These roles are best suited to people who live or work locally to the lifeboat station. The recruitment campaign is being launched during this, the station’s 30th anniversary year.

To find out more about each role and to apply, see the links below. Or register your interest by emailing [email protected]

The role of Launch Authority is not a sea-going one but the person who holds it is responsible for the launch of the lifeboat when a call for help comes in. They also ensure the lifeboats and all associated equipment is in a constant state of readiness for launching on service.

Applications for all roles close on the Sunday 12 April.

Lifeboat crew: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/alb-crew-achill-island-606037.html

Launch Authority: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/launch-authority-achill-606040.html

Water Safety Advisor: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/water-safety-advisor-achill-606083.html

14/03/2026

We remember Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick, Capt. Mark Duffy, Winch Operator Paul Ormsby and Winchman Ciarán Smith, RIP. Our thoughts are also with their families, colleagues, friends and all those who love them.

Go Mairidís Beo, Is Fíor Go Deo

On the fourteenth of March, twenty seventeen,
A Coast Guard helicopter crew made way to a scene,
Across the country, beyond Mayo's coast,
Over the wild Atlantic, for their final post.

Rescue 116 departed, Go Mairidís Beo,
With her 4 brave crew, is fíor, go deo.
Dara, Mark, Ciarán and Paul,
On their final mission, tragedy would befall.

On a top cover tasking, the crew they had planned,
To head to Blacksod to refuel and to land.
But on their approach, disaster it struck,
As the aircraft collided with the invisible Black Rock.

The lifeboat of Achill Island RNLI was requested,
Their bravery, knowledge and skill were attested.
When the LOM took the call, no time did he waste,
He alerted the crew, and the lifeboat made haste.

The weather was wild and the ocean so bold,
It was dark, wet and windy, and so very cold.
With the help of a spotlight and against all the odds,
They spotted a casualty, with the help of the gods.

They brought her on board and the crew did their best,
But as the time passed, their hearts broke in their chests.
They wrapped her in blankets with warm loving care,
Codladh sámh, a Dhara dílis, ár Banríon na Spéire.

The nation did wake to a terrible shock,
They searched for weeks around the clock.
But our loss it does pale to the families, all four,
Who are now left to deal with an eternal heart sore.

We think of their loved ones and 4 candles we'll light,
For the valiant crew who died on that night.
They lived and are loved and their spirits remain,
In the hearts of those who recall their name.

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13/03/2026

🚨 Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI joint water safety plea ahead of 🚨

As communities across the country prepare to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and the RNLI are issuing a joint appeal urging the public to stay safe in, on, or near the water.

Recent national data* shows that 65% of accidental drownings were preceded by land‑based activities, including walking, angling, and hiking.

With footfall expected to increase around the coast, rivers, and lakes ahead of St Patrick’s Day, all three organisations are asking people to prioritise water safety when making plans.

With many parades, events, and increased traffic around coastal roads, harbours, riversides, and canals, the organisations are also asking motorists to avoid parking too close to water as tides can rise quickly and storm surges or wakes from passing vessels may flood areas unexpectedly.

Key water safety advice ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

🚨 Never mix alcohol with water activities, or when walking near water
🚨 Check weather conditions and tide times before heading out.
🚨 Sudden changes and high tides can create hazardous conditions and may leave walkers stranded
🚨 Carry a reliable means of communication, such as a fully charged mobile phone, VHF radio, or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
🚨 Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
🚨 Wear a suitable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for any water-based activity, including shoreline angling
🚨 Stay well back from edges during cliff and coastal walks and be mindful of erosion or storm related changes to paths.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use Marine VHF Ch 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

*Water Safety Ireland drowning data analysis: https://watersafety.ie/statistics/ section: 2019 to 2023

Address

Kildavnet
Achill
LOC8CODE:EF5-44-CX7

Telephone

+3539845612

Website

https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/achill-island-lifeboat-station, https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraiser

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