Aran Islands RNLI

Aran Islands RNLI Established in 1927 originally as Galway Bay Lifeboat, changed to Aran Islands Lifeboat on 1/08/1995

Yesterday was a very special day as we had the honour of presenting Michael T. Hernon with his Long Service Medal in rec...
14/08/2026

Yesterday was a very special day as we had the honour of presenting Michael T. Hernon with his Long Service Medal in recognition of an incredible 50 years of service and volunteering. 🏅

Michael’s neighbour, good friend and honorary treasurer, Margaret Jackie was especially honoured to be asked by the family to present the medal to him. It was a wonderful moment and a fitting recognition of an outstanding achievement.

Chatting yesterday, Michael’s sisters shared how they too were involved in fundraising from a young age. The Hernon family have given so much to the islands over the years, not only to our own island, but to the wider island community through their involvement with organisations such as Aer Arann.

There is also great pride in knowing that the tradition of service continues with Michael’s nephew Conal, now carrying that legacy forward as a crew member on the current lifeboat. ❤️

Fifty years of dedication, commitment and service is an extraordinary achievement.

Congratulations, Michael, and thank you for everything you have given to our community.

From left to right: Martina McDonagh, Danny & Máire Monaghan and Catherine Hernon.

Míle buíochas ó chroí le Brídín, Anna agus Nóirín as an €9,125 a bhailigh siad i mbliana do Bhád Tarrthála Árainn. Tá an...
11/08/2026

Míle buíochas ó chroí le Brídín, Anna agus Nóirín as an €9,125 a bhailigh siad i mbliana do Bhád Tarrthála Árainn.

Tá an raifil agus an céilí ag dul ó neart go neart gach bliain, agus táimid fíorbhuíoch den obair agus den iarracht a chuireann an triúr acu isteach ann.

Mar aitheantas ar an tacaíocht iontach seo, bronnadh Teastas Buíochais ón RNLI ar an triúr acu.

Maith sibh agus go raibh míle maith agaibh as an obair ar fad a dhéanann sibh ar son Bhád Tarrthála Oileáin Árann. 💙

A heartfelt thank you to Brídín, Anna and Nóirín for raising €9,125 this year for the Aran Islands Lifeboat.

The raffle and céilí seem to go from strength to strength every year, and we are so grateful for all the hard work and effort the three of them put into it.

In recognition of this support, the three were presented with a Thank You Certificate from the RNLI.

Well done to you all, and thank you so much for all the work you do for the Aran Islands Lifeboat. 💙👏

🎻 Céilí & Raifil Bhád Tarrthála Oileáin Árann 🚤💙Táimid thar a bheith sásta a fhógairt gur bailíodh €9,125 do Bhád Tarrth...
06/08/2026

🎻 Céilí & Raifil Bhád Tarrthála Oileáin Árann 🚤💙

Táimid thar a bheith sásta a fhógairt gur bailíodh €9,125 do Bhád Tarrthála Oileáin Árann. Sin beagnach a dhá oiread den mhéid a bailíodh anuraidh! 👏

Ba mhaith linn míle buíochas a ghabháil le:

🏡 Pádraig agus an fhoireann ar fad i dTeach Ósta Inis Meáin.
🏠 Treasa & Pádraig ag An Dún & Angela a chuir lóistín ar fáil.
🎶 Brian Terry agus a chlann, a chuir ceol den scoth ar fáil.
🏦 Áine Hernon agus foireann ag Comhar Creidmheasa Árainn Teo
💐 Go háirithe Brídín, Róisín, Anna agus Nóirín, a bhailigh na duaiseanna ar fad, a dhíol na ticéid agus a d’eagraigh an oíche.

Buíochas ó chroí freisin le gach duine a tháinig chuig an Teach Ósta aréir, a cheannaigh ticéid don raifil, a thug duaiseanna, a rinne urraíocht agus a thacaigh linn ar bhealach ar bith. 🎫

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. 🤝

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir! 🧡💙

🎻 Aran Islands Lifeboat Céilí & Raffle 🚤💙

We are delighted to announce that an incredible €9,125 was raised for the Aran Islands Lifeboat. That’s almost double the amount raised last year! 👏

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to:

🏡 Pádraig and all the staff at Inis Meáin Ósta.
🏠 Treasa & Pádraig at An Dún & Angela for the accommodation.
🎶 Brian Terry and his family, who provided outstanding music throughout the evening.
🏦 Áine Hernon and the staff at the Credit Union.
💐 Especially Brídín, Róisín, Anna and Nóirín, who collected all of the raffle prizes, sold the tickets and organised the entire event.

A huge thank you also to everyone who came to the hotel, bought raffle tickets, donated prizes, sponsored the event, or supported us in any way.

“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” . 🤝

Thank you all so much for your incredible support! 🧡💙

📸Conor Mc Cague

A big thank you! 💙We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who came out to support us and mark the arrival...
05/08/2026

A big thank you! 💙

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who came out to support us and mark the arrival of the David Kirkaldy back to Inis Mór following its 1,000th launch. 🎉

The welcome from members of the public, families, friends, current and former crew, and the wider island community was truly special and meant a great deal to our volunteer crew. ❤️🙌

A huge thank you to Kevin O’Meara & Jack O’Connell for capturing the day so beautifully with your amazing photos. 📸

A special mention to Nicola Mullen, who managed to bake a spectacular 4-tier cake in just 2 hours! 🎂

Thank you also to Aran Fire & Rescue 🚒 and An Garda Síochána👮‍♂️ for giving us such a wonderful welcome home. 👮‍♂️🚒

Thank you to everyone who took the time to be part of this memorable occasion. Your support means so much to all of us at Aran Islands RNLI. ❤️🌊

From all of us — thank you! 🙏

🚨A historic milestone for Aran Islands RNLI 🚨Yesterday evening, 4 August, the volunteer crew launched at 6.08pm for a me...
05/08/2026

🚨A historic milestone for Aran Islands RNLI 🚨

Yesterday evening, 4 August, the volunteer crew launched at 6.08pm for a medical evacuation from Inis Mór — marking the 1,000th launch of the lifeboat David Kirkaldy.

After safely transferring the patient to Ros a Mhíl, the lifeboat crew returned to Inis Mór where they were welcomed by Emergency Services, former crew members and members of the public to celebrate this incredible achievement.

The David Kirkaldy arrived at Aran Islands Lifeboat Station in 1997 following extensive sea trials in Poole. Its very first call out took place on 19 May 1997 at 6.50pm, also for a medical evacuation from Inis Mór.

That first launch was under the command of the late Coxswain Pádraic Dillane, alongside mechanic John Mulkerrin and crew members Éanna Dillane, Joe Gill, Máirtín Fitzpatrick, Martin Mulkerrin and Michael Ó Cualáin.

Yesterday’s historic 1,000th launch was carried out under the command of Coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, with mechanic Máirtín Coyne, crew members Michael Ó Cualáin, Brian Ó Cualáin and Máirtín Gill, and Launch Authority Aidan Coughlan.

The milestone was especially meaningful for Michael Ó Cualáin, who was part of both the lifeboat’s very first launch in 1997 and its 1,000th launch — this time alongside his son, Brian.

It was also a proud moment for Máirtín Gill, whose father Joe Gill was part of the crew on the David Kirkaldy’s first call out in May 1997 and was waiting at the pontoon to welcome the lifeboat home after its historic 1,000th launch.

Since Aran Islands Lifeboat Station opened in 1927, it has answered 2,387 calls, a remarkable achievement made possible by generations of dedicated volunteers and the unwavering support of the island community.

The station extends its heartfelt thanks to every past and present crew member, mechanic, coxswain, launching authority, fundraiser, volunteer and supporter who has played a part in this proud milestone.



To read the full story:
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/august/05/aran-islands-severn-class-lifeboat-reaches-1000-callouts

🎟️ Inniu – Dé Céadaoin 5.8.2026 🎟️Céilí Bliantúil Bhád Tarrthála ÁrannRaifil 1:Beidh muid ag díol ticéidí sa Teach Ósta ...
05/08/2026

🎟️ Inniu – Dé Céadaoin 5.8.2026 🎟️
Céilí Bliantúil Bhád Tarrthála Árann

Raifil 1:
Beidh muid ag díol ticéidí sa Teach Ósta ó 2.00pm, agus beidh an tarraingt ar siúl ag 3.00pm.

🪩Céilí sa Teach Ósta anocht ó 9.30pm go 12.30am, le ceol ó Brian Terry & a Chlann.

Beidh Raifil eile le linn an chéilí. Beidh muid ag díol ticéidí ó 9.00pm ar aghaidh.

Beidh buicéad deonachán ar fáil freisin d’aon duine ar mhaith leis/léi síntiús a thabhairt.

Bígí linn!

A huge thank you to Colleen, Clodagh and John from Colleen Judge who had a collection on Ladies Day of the Galway Races ...
03/08/2026

A huge thank you to Colleen, Clodagh and John from Colleen Judge who had a collection on Ladies Day of the Galway Races for The Aran Islands RNLI.

They collected €533.38 and donated €100 themselves.
*€633.38* in total.

Thank you to all who contributed and thanks again to Colleen Judge 🎉💙🧡

🎉 Huge congratulations to Brian Ó Cualáin on successfully passing his Tier 2 assessment last night! 👏🛟 The assessment wa...
23/07/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to Brian Ó Cualáin on successfully passing his Tier 2 assessment last night! 👏

🛟 The assessment was overseen by Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Sean Ginnelly.

🌊 While on board the lifeboat, Brian demonstrated a range of key operational skills, including anchoring, towing, watchkeeping and helming.

✍️ Back at the station, he successfully completed the theory element of the assessment, covering navigation, Radio Communications and firefighting.

👏 Achieving Tier 2 is an important milestone and reflects the hard work, commitment and dedication Brian has put in over the years.

Comhghairdeachas, a Bhriain! 👏🇮🇪

🚨 Busy weekend for Aran Islands RNLI volunteers with 10 call outs in just seven days 🚨It has been an exceptionally busy ...
20/07/2026

🚨 Busy weekend for Aran Islands RNLI volunteers with 10 call outs in just seven days 🚨

It has been an exceptionally busy week for the Aran Islands RNLI crew, with 10 call outs in just seven days, including three taskings over the weekend.

On Saturday, the volunteer crew launched twice - first for a medical evacuation from Inis Mór following a suspected spinal injury, safely transferring the casualty to waiting emergency services in Ros a Mhíl.

Later that evening, the crew were requested to assist a lone sailor whose journey was cut short due to fatigue, worsening weather conditions and engine failure. In challenging conditions with Force 5 winds and a 2-metre swell, the lifeboat crew safely towed the yacht back to Cill Rónain Harbour.

On Sunday evening, the crew launched again to assist a broken-down vessel southwest of Ros a Mhíl, towing the vessel safely back to harbour.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Avril Ní Shearcaigh said:
“It's been a busy week at the station with 10 call outs in a week. We’re very grateful to our volunteers who never hesitate to answer the pager and take time from their busy lives to help save lives at sea.”

A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteer crew for their continued commitment. 💙

If you see someone in trouble on the water or along the coast, call 112 and ask for the Coast Guard, or use Marine VHF Channel 16.

To read the full story, click on the link: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/july/20/aran-islands-rnli-hit-10-call-outs-in-a-week-after-busy-weekend

🎉Níl mórán am fágtha 🎉🎟️ Ticéid ar fáil ón Arainn Credit Union nó glaoch a chur ar Áine H (087 778 2378) nó Brídín (087 ...
18/07/2026

🎉Níl mórán am fágtha 🎉

🎟️ Ticéid ar fáil ón Arainn Credit Union nó glaoch a chur ar Áine H (087 778 2378) nó Brídín (087 248 2637)

Míle buíochas as ucht tacú le Bád Tarrthála Oileáin Árainn 🚤🧡

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Kilronan Inis Mór
Galway

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003539961166

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