27/01/2026
Book Launch to Raise Funds for the Mary Stanford Maintenance
A new local history publication, "Cloyne in the Great War 1914–18", will be launched on Wednesday 11th February 2026 in the Library of the Garryvoe Hotel, marking the 90th anniversary of the Mary Stanford lifeboat rescue of the LV Comet. The evening will combine the book launch, music, and a community gathering, with all proceeds from book sales donated to the ongoing maintenance of the historic Mary Stanford lifeboat, which is on permanent display overlooking Ballycotton.
Written by historian Gerry Kearney, the book documents the lives and service of 267 men and five women with links to the greater Cloyne parish including Ballycotton, Churchtown South, Cloyne, and Shanagarry who served during the First World War. Alongside military records, the book also records service in the Merchant Navy, Coastguard, Red Cross, and Lifeboat Services, offering a broader picture of life, loss, and resilience in the area during the war years.
The Mary Stanford story forms a strong local connection. Two men whose war service is recorded in the book, Patrick Patsy Sliney and Thomas Flavin Walsh, later served as crew of the Ballycotton lifeboat. On 11th February 1936, the seven man crew undertook one of the most daring rescues in RNLI history, saving the crew of the LV Comet at Daunt Rock. Today, the lifeboat stands as a symbol of courage, community, and service, and continues to require ongoing care and conservation.
The launch event begins with reception and refreshments from 7 p.m., with music on the night by The Rovers, who will perform, "The Ballad of The Mary Stanford". The book will be available for purchase at the event and locally at the Ballymaloe Shop, Broderick’s Shop Shanagarry, Centra Cloyne, the Midleton Bookshop, and online via www.kennys.ie
