Aran Islands RNLI

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

🚨Aran Islands RNLI involved in Multi-agency rescue on Inis Mór🚨The Valentia MRSC tasked the Aran Islands Lifeboat at 1:3...
25/09/2026

🚨Aran Islands RNLI involved in Multi-agency rescue on Inis Mór🚨

The Valentia MRSC tasked the Aran Islands Lifeboat at 1:38pm this afternoon (25 September) following reports that a person walking along the coastline on Inis Mór had been knocked down by a wave and swept onto a ledge near the sea. The lifeboat was tasked alongside Rescue 118 and Aran Fire & Rescue.

The lifeboat launched from Cill Rónain harbour and made its way around the island towards the wormhole which is located on the South of Inis Mór. Weather conditions at the time were challenging with Force 7 south westerly winds and rough seas.

Aran Fire & Rescue had located and secured the casualty with a rope as large waves continued to break around the ledge.

Rescue 118 arrived on scene and winched the casualty from the wormhole. The Aran Islands lifeboat remained on standby until the casualty and the winchman were winched onto the helicopter safely.

The casualty was transported to Galway University Hospital for further treatment and both the lifeboat and Aran Fire & Rescue were stood down.

Speaking to Aran Islands Coxswain, Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, he said: ‘This was a challenging rescue in extremely difficult conditions. Great credit is due to Rescue 118 and Aran Fire & Rescue for their skill in carrying out the recovery safely and successfully.’

‘While walking along the coastline always keep a safe distance from cliff edges and slippery or unstable paths. Keep an eye on the sea and if you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Always great to train alongside Rescue 115 🚁🚤 Another valuable night training exercise, working together to keep our ski...
22/09/2026

Always great to train alongside Rescue 115 🚁🚤

Another valuable night training exercise, working together to keep our skills sharp and ready for when it matters most.👏

Ba mhaith linn ár mbuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil le Siopa an Phobail as €433 a bhronnadh ar Stáisiún Oileáin Árann tríd an...
21/09/2026

Ba mhaith linn ár mbuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil le Siopa an Phobail as €433 a bhronnadh ar Stáisiún Oileáin Árann tríd an gciste pobail. 💙

Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an tacaíocht, agus buíochas mór le Catherine agus Máire Bríd as Stáisiún Oileáin Árann a roghnú.

Sa phictiúr, ó chlé go deas: Catherine, Margaret Gill agus Lena O’Connell.

Ba mhaith linn buíochas mór a ghabháil le Fhéile an tSrutháin as cuireadh a thabhairt dúinn freastal ar an ócáid i mblia...
17/09/2026

Ba mhaith linn buíochas mór a ghabháil le Fhéile an tSrutháin as cuireadh a thabhairt dúinn freastal ar an ócáid i mbliana. ☀️

Bhí lá iontach againn agus bhí áthas orainn deis a fháil bualadh leis an phobail agus an bád tarrthála a thaispeáint.

Gabhaimid buíochas speisialta libh as an €500 a bhronnadh orainn. Déanfaidh sé difríocht mhór dár seirbhís tarrthála.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh! 💙🧡

09/09/2026

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. But recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about our purpose and our lifesaving work in the Channel.

As a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse. This is unacceptable.

The RNLI’s people represent the very best of society. For over two hundred years they have dedicated themselves to rescuing people they’ve never met before, without judgment, fear or favour.

We are tasked by HM Coastguard to help those in distress, and we'll do so whenever, wherever and whoever they are.

We launched 9,058 times in 2025. Only 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel – 1.2% of our total rescue work. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is then taken into the care of the relevant UK authorities.

To those who stand with the RNLI, thank you. For more than two hundred years, we've saved lives at sea around the UK and Ireland, and that commitment remains unchanged.

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

Address

Kilronan Inis Mór
Galway

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