Arranmore RNLI

29/10/2026

Congratulations to crew member Seán Sammy Gallagher on passing his Tier 2 assessment yesterday evening.

He’s put in a lot of hard work and learning to get him over the line.

Bulaí fir 👏 🥇 💛

05/10/2026

Saturday 3 October,

A special day for Arranmore RNLI and survivors of 1989 tragedy

The survivors, family and friends of those lost in a tragedy that happened 37 years ago off Arranmore came back to the island on Saturday to thank all those involved in the search and rescue operation and to donate £10,000 to the station.

On 28 July, 1989, a group of English students were visiting Arranmore when their boat got into trouble when returning to Eichter Island. On leaving Arranmore, the weather and sea conditions suddenly changed, and the boat ended up on rocks with those onboard thrown into the sea. One of those was John Whitting who managed to swim to Arranmore and raise the alarm when he arrived at a house. The owner Mary Conlon phoned her brother John O’Donnell who was the Coxswain and mechanic on the lifeboat at the time and a search and rescue operation got underway. Natasha Martineau was rescued by the crew on route to the all weather lifeboat and was also cared for by Mary Conlon.

Speaking during his visit to the station on Saturday, John Whitting thanked the lifeboat crew, all those involved in the operation and the wider Arranmore community for their help and kindness at the time.
John who lives in London raised the funds from a triathlon he undertook for Pulmonary Fibrosis and the Arranmore RNLI.

Jerry Early, Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘On this special occasion we would like to thank John for his generous donation. It is a difficult and emotional occasion for all involved but especially for John, Natasha and the families of those lost and we hope that the visit will bring a sense of peace.’

The families also laid a wreath at sea in memory of those lost including Matthew Hallifax , Isobel Pryse-Lloyd, Alexander Ricketts and Justin Arbuthnott.
Arranmore RNLI presented John and Natasha with a framed copper map of Arranmore.

02/09/2026

Bhí sé galánta buaileadh le Eva agus Rory cúpla seachtain ó shin.

We had a great day meeting Eva and Rory on Arranmore just over a week ago. We tried to get them on board to join the crew, but we ended up getting a few summons instead.

Hopefully we’ll see these little blue hero’s back on the island next summer if not before that.

Thanks to An Garda Síochána Donegal for the invitation to come along and meet Eva and Rory and their families this year again.

17/08/2026

The volunteer crew of Arranmore RNLI were requested by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist with two medical evacuations from the island on Sunday 16 August.
The first call came early Sunday morning at 12.15 am and the second at 10.45 in the evening. Both casualties were transferred by the island ambulance to the lifeboat, taken to Burtonport to a waiting ambulance and on to University Hospital Letterkenny for assessment and treatment.

Arranmore Lifeboat Press Officer and station visits officer, Nora Flanagan said,’ The lifeboat here on Arranmore has been serving the local community and wider coastal area since 1883 and the volunteer ethos is still very strong. We welcome groups to come and visit the station, hear the history of the many rescues, meet the crew and look around our new boathouse. Please contact the station at [email protected] or call 0878047032 to make an appointment.’

13/08/2026

Late nights and early morning calls continue for Arranmore RNLI:

The volunteer crew of Arranmore RNLI are experiencing a busy summer with continued calls for assistance. On Saturday 8th August at 10.12pm Malin Head Coast Guard requested the all weather lifeboat to launch to assist with a medical evacuation from the island. The casualty was transferred from the lifeboat to a waiting ambulance in Burtonport and on to Letterkenny University Hospital for assessment.

Malin Head Coast Guard requested the assistance of the lifeboat twice on Tuesday, again for medical evacuations. The first call came at 01.25 in the morning and the second at 8.25 in the evening. Both casualties were transferred by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital for assessment and treatment.

Coxswain Kieran O’Donnell said, ‘We have had a really busy summer with calls for the lifeboat and crew training. Training in all aspects of saving lives is an essential part of the volunteer crew and we are very grateful to have men and women who are so willing to give up their time to answer the call for assistance and to train in the many skills required in saving lives at sea.’

11/08/2026

Come along for a look around the boat at Portnoo pier on the 22nd.

We’re looking forward to meeting everyone, showing you around the boat and answering any questions you may have.

All welcome!

All welcome 😀

07/08/2026

A special thanks to Emma McGarvey & Mark Sharkey, manager of The Cope Dungloe for gifting us this coffee machine and a crew favourite - Hatter coffee beans 🫘

We hope that Captain Kieran is practicing his barista skills before hosting our next Ops meeting or crew training session 🫡

Thank you The Cope Dungloe for fuelling our crew ☕️

06/08/2026

The official launch of Trasna na dTonnta 🌊

We had a lovely day at our station today as crew members Sharon, Evan and son/brother Glenn officially launched their Atlantic Row 2026.

This brave and determined crew will undertake The Worlds Toughest Row in early December whereby they will row 3,000 miles/4,800km across the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Speakers today included our Local Press Officer - Nora Flanagan, Sharon’s niece and past crew member Karen McGowan Carroll, last years winner of The Worlds Toughest row - Solo Class Winner, Daragh MacLoughlin from Clarinbridge, the captain of this mission, Sharon O’Donnell and Fr John Joe Duffy.

There was an amazing turnout and showing of care and support from family & friends, RNLI crew, the Arranmore community and community & supporters from further afield.

The speakers spoke brilliantly and all recognised and admired the courage, determination and resilience that this crew has shown and will continue to do so.

Sharon believes that she had a calling to undertake this challenge and her sons, Evan and Glenn wouldn’t let her do it alone.

Fr John Joe prayed for the boat and crew of the ‘Winnie May’ and blessed it too.

We are all wishing them fair winds and calm seas as they train for and undertake this challenge and raise vital funds for the RNLI.

In the words of Daragh, enjoy the “beautiful chaos” that awaits you, remember that everyone is behind you, supports you and support one another as “one crew”.

You can follow them along the way and support them on this page - Trasna na dtonnta Atlantic Row 2026

Ádh mór, táimid uilig an-bhródúil asaibh🧡💙

06/08/2026

Ba mhaith linn buíochas mór a ghabháil le Fiadh a bhailigh airgead le déanaí ar son Arranmore RNLI🧡

Bhí seastán bráisléad ag Fiadh ag an gcéilí sa halla le seachtain anuas, áit a raibh sí ag díol bráisléid leis na scoláirí agus le páistí an oileáin. Mhol a thuismitheoirí di na bráisléid a dhíol ar son carthanais agus roghnaigh sí féin airgead a bhailiú don RNLI ar Árainn Mhór.

Bhain sí an-taitneamh as an taithí agus d’éirigh léi thart ar €150 a bhailiú.

Is tusa ár laoch Fiadh, ní bheimis in ann é seo a dhéanamh gan tiomsaitheoirí airgid cosúil leatsa 🦸‍♀️

05/08/2026

Arranmore RNLI rescue 6 people stranded on rocks


The Arranmore RNLI volunteer crew responded to a call for assistance from Malin Head Coast Guard at 01.42am this morning, 5 August to Lahan Island, Cloughglas, where six people were in difficulty on the rocks. The six casualties were paddle boarding when the wind increased and they decided their safest option was to get on to the rocks and wait for low tide to continue to land ashore. As the weather deteriorated and they were getting colder the group rightly decided to call for help and contacted Malin Head Coast Guard.

The all weather lifeboat launched at 02.03am with seven crew members on board and proceeded to Cloughglas where the six casualties were located with the assistance of the Bunbeg Coast Guard boat. Crew members, Evan O’Donnell and Joe Doherty launched the Y boat from the stern of the lifeboat and proceeded to the casualties, at times, having to drag the boat across shallow sand banks through waters up to their chest. As the all weather lifeboat stood by the crew set off flares to light up the casualty area and Bunbeg crew also lit up the area with the help of a drone.

Weather conditions at the time were quite challenging with heavy rain, wind speeds of 55 knots and a swell of 2-4 meters breaking aft of the lifeboat. Fortunately the casualty area was calm as it was nearer the shore.
All six of the casualties were taken on board the Yboat and taken to a local house where they were assessed and treated by the Bunbeg crew and ambulance.

Coxswain Kieran O’Donnell said ‘My thanks to all the crew on board and especially Joe Doherty who helmed the Yboat with Evan O’Donnell assisting. It took an hour and three quarters to get all of the casualties on board and to the safety of the shore. Their professionalism, commitment and dedication is commendable’
Kieran continued, ‘The people on the paddle boards did absolutely the right thing in calling for help and we are delighted for such a positive outcome.’
The lifeboat returned to anchor at 5am.
Crew on board were: Coxswain Kieran O’Donnell, Relief mechanic Reamon O’Donnell, Navigator Sharon O’Donnell, Joe Doherty, Evan O’Donnell. Bernard John O’Donnell and James Jack O’Donnel