Seán (Sammy) Gallagher gets his pager as new Arranmore lifeboat crew member

The Arranmore lifeboat has welcomed its latest volunteer crew member.

Seán (Sammy) Gallagher, a native of Arranmore who is a teacher at Colaiste na Carraige, has returned to his roots.

Seán joined the crew of the Arranmore RNLI having returned to live on Arranmore with his partner. Having left Arranmore when going to university, he worked in Glasgow before deciding to become a teacher.

He teaches history and Irish at Colaiste na Carraige and now commutes by boat and car to work. Having commuted from Letterkenny for over two years he and his partner made the decision to return to the place of his childhood.

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He said: “The commute is very similar to when I lived in Letterkenny although it now involves a boat trip. Having been brought up with boats I always wanted to be part of an organisation that is an integral part of the community and family.

“My uncle Tony Gallagher served on the lifeboat and was involved in many rescues. In the latter years he was the Launch Operations Manager and promoted the work of the Arranmore RNLI at every opportunity.

“I always had the utmost respect for the work that the RNLI crew do and heard stories from my uncle of the dedication and selflessness of the crew and really wanted to become part of that team but was unable to do so until I returned to Arranmore.

“I am so proud to have my pager, I haven’t been on a call out yet but I have been out on training exercises.”

Off the seas, Seán is a member of the Letterkenny Pipe Band, who came third in the World Championships in Glasgow in August and the Arranmore Pipe Band, who travelled to Beaver Island in Lake Michigan in September this year.

The Arranmore lifeboat station now has a crew of 22, including two females. They are now awaiting the completion of a new station, which will be finished in early 2024.

At present the volunteer crew are operating out of portacabins with limited facilities.

Coxswain Jimmy Early said: “We are really looking forward to moving into the new building. This will be the biggest station we will be operating out of on Arranmore and we appreciate the care and consideration the RNLI are taking to help us in our work. I

“ would like to welcome Seán on to the crew, like all our volunteers who give up many hours of their time to train and answer the call out we are really appreciative of their commitment and dedication to saving lives at sea.”