RNLI: 200 years at the heart of maritime life in Ireland and Britain
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From battling treacherous seas with everything from wooden oars to state-of-the-art lifeboats, the RNLI remains steadfast in its mission — to save lives and offer a beacon of hope to coastal communities.
A remarkable history, from the sinking of the Lusitania to the Fastnet race, and countless tragedies in between, this weekend the RNLI celebrates 200 years of rescues and lives saved. Events across the country will give thanks to a legion of courageous volunteers past and present prepared to take to the roughest of seas at a moment’s notice.
The largest lifeboat service of its kind, the RNLI operates across Ireland and Britain, as well as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The organisation, which has saved around 140,000 lives since its inception in 1824, was founded by William Hillary following a meeting at the City of London Tavern at Bishopsgate.
Initially called the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, it was subsequently renamed the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck under the patronage of King George IV. On October 5, 1854. The organisation’s name was changed to its current name, RNLI, and was granted a royal charter in 1860.
Since it was founded, the RNLI has saved 17 lives in Kinsale. A further 440 people were rescued in Valentia. The RNLI saved a total of 15 lives in Crosshaven. Meanwhile, the crew in Courtmacsherry in West Cork were responsible for saving 251 lives.
Events will take place at lifeboat stations across Ireland and Britain on Monday to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. A podcast series on its website marks the milestone event and captures the role the RNLI has played in this country’s maritime history.
It includes contributions from Tom MacSweeney who presented more than 1,000 episodes of the maritime programme on RTÉ Radio 1. The episode titled ‘Voice of the Sea’, in particular, focuses on the charity’s mission and the generosity and spirit of RNLI volunteers.
In another episode, songwriter and musician Phil Coulter recalled how the loss of his brother in a windsurfing accident in 1984 served as the motivation to obtain an RNLI lifeboat for Lough Swilly, Co Donegal. His contributions also include the song ‘Home from the Sea’, which remains an RNLI anthem.
An interactive timeline also gives an insight into celebrated RNLI figures and rescue missions throughout the decades.
Historical events covered include the sinking of the Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale in 1915, resulting in some 1,198 deaths. Lifeboats from Queenstown (now Cobh) and Courtmacsherry were deployed to the ship after it was torpedoed by a German submarine.
It also includes the story of Patrick Sliney of Ballycotton who won a gold medal in 1936 for a heroic rescue which lasted some 63 hours and culminated in the saving of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightvessel which had broken from her moorings in a gale.
John Boyle of Arranmore, Co Donegal is also immortalised in maritime history. He was awarded a gold medal in 1940 for the rescue of 18 men by breeches buoy from the wreck of a Dutch steam ship, the Stolwijk.
The RNLI has introduced several new stations in recent years. They include Union Hall Lifeboat Station which was brought onstream about a decade ago in response to a devastating tragedy.
On January 15, 2012, the Tit Bonhomme trawler sank after hitting the rocks during a storm. The accident close to Glandore Bay resulted in the loss of five lives.
The story touched the hearts of many in West Cork, and across the country, including Raymond Fielding, who gifted Union Hall a lifeboat.
The original lifeboat, an Atlantic 75, was named after his late wife Christine Fielding. However, when Dr Fielding himself passed away aged 80 in 2016, the next boat, an Atlantic 85, was named the Christine And Raymond Fielding.
Family tradition has always played a strong role in the RNLI. Pamela Deasy, who grew up in a fishing family in Union Hall, said she has been volunteering with the charity since the age of 11. She describes the instrumental role they play in promoting camaraderie and support in communities.
“I’m delighted to be associated with an organisation like the RNLI. I think you get more out of the organisation than what you put into it. You meet such fantastic people and we are all working towards this common objective of doing the best that we can.
“For me that means promoting the work of my station because I am immensely proud of everyone attached to it. Whether we are out on the boat, running marathons, or holding coffee mornings we are all part of the one crew. There are so many possibilities for everyone.
She described her lifelong affiliation with the RNLI.
“I was involved from a very early age. At 11 years of age, I was out collecting with my mother. I used to hold the biscuit tin with my mum. I can still vividly recall the bright yellow jacket she wore with the lifeboats on the back of it.
“That was back when you didn’t say no to your parents so it was bred into me from an early age. Today my role is raising funds for the organisation. I also sell the souvenirs attached to the station. Be it wellies, Christmas cards or tea towels, we sell them.
“I’m also the press officer for the station so much of my work involves highlighting and publicising all our great volunteers and what they do for the organisation.”
• To find out more about events taking place to mark the RNLI’S 200th anniversary, visit rnli.org online.