Arranmore RNLI celebrates the best on International Women’s Day

Female crew members of Arranmore RNLI got together with members of the fundraising group to celebrate International Women’s Day, recognising the important role of women in the RNLI.

Since founding the life-saving organisation in 1824, women have been an integral part of the service. In the early days of the RNLI, the lifeboats were crewed by men with knowledge of the sea, while the women worked in the background helping to launch the lifeboats, supporting their husbands, fathers and sons when called to save lives at sea and helping to raise funds for the voluntary organisation.

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Now, women are to the fore, serving alongside their male counterparts, saving lives at sea.

Arranmore’s first female crew member, Nora Flanagan, served on the lifeboat for seven years and is now the island’s lifeboat press officer. At present, there are four female crew members from different backgrounds serving on the lifeboat.

Elaine and Aine Boyle

Sharon O’Donnell has been a crew member for 10 years and runs the Naoinra (children’s play school) on the island and along with her two sons plan to row from the Canary Islands to Antigua, a journey of 3,000 miles in December of this year.

Julie Savoie, originally from Canada, moved to the island over two years ago, works remotely and is also a fitness instructor. Aisling Cox is a teacher on Arranmore and joined the crew three years ago, working alongside her father, who was also a crew member.

The newest crew recruit is Áine Boyle, who is at present undergoing training in saving lives at sea. In keeping with the family volunteer ethos Áine’s father, John, is also a long-serving crew member.

The crew were joined for a photo opportunity by the women of the RNLI fundraising committee. Sadie Bonner has been involved in fundraising for the Arranmore RNLI for 10 years, and was joined by Shauna Bonner in 2025. Shauna’s father served as Coxswain on the lifeboat and is continuing the RNLI family tradition.

Arranmore Lifeboat Press Officer Nora Flanagan said: "It has been a great privilege working with the Arranmore RNLI for the last 32 years in various roles and I am delighted to see so many women joining the crew. The training provided by the RNLI in all aspects of saving lives is second to none and I would certainly encourage anyone living on Arranmore to join this vital lifesaving service.

"I would also like to thank the ladies on the crew and fundraising group for taking the time to come along for the photo opportunity. My thanks also to Coxswain Trevor Devereux, mechanic Philip McCauley and crew member Pat Boyle for facilitating the event."