In Pictures: A proud day for Arranmore as new lifeboat station opens

It was a big day for the island community of Arranmore as the new lifeboat station was formally opened on Saturday, September 7. Click on the arrow for photos of the event.

Arranmore RNLI has officially opened its new lifeboat station on the Donegal Island. 

The new boathouse which was built at a cost of €1.4m has been designed to accommodate the lifeboat crew and to house the boarding boats that provide access to the station’s Severn Class Lifeboat.

In a ceremony on Saturday, September  7,lifeboat crew, fundraisers and station management were joined by locals, friends and special guests for the occasion. 

Recently appointed RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes handed the new boathouse into the care of the lifeboat station, in his first station opening in his new role while Donegal Person of the Year and well-known musician Moya Brennan unveiled a special plaque to commemorate the occasion.  

In addition to the purpose-built boat halls, the station has been fitted with a new changing room, training room, crew area and offices. 

The boathouse design aids the RNLI’s goal to achieve zero carbon emissions through a reduction in gas and electricity consumption. A ground source heat pump heats the station and provides hot water while PV cells located on the South facing roof generate electricity. The facilities will provide the station with a modern and fit-for-purpose building, designed to minimise maintenance and energy consumption. 

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: “Successive generations of lifeboat crews at Arranmore Lifeboat Station have been keeping this island and surrounding coastline safe using the best lifesaving equipment we can provide. This new station facility will ensure that lifesaving tradition continues.

“Whatever your role – crew, station management or fundraiser – you are the embodiment of the RNLI, willingly and selflessly helping others in need.”

Arranmore RNLI, Lifeboat Operations Manager Tony Ward accepted the new boathouse on behalf of the station. 

He said: “We have a very proud history of lifesaving at this station. Located as we are, on a small island, off the coast of Donegal and facing out into the Atlantic, the sea is our neighbour and one we respect.

“Generations of lifeboat crew have provided an excellent service to our community and will continue to do so. 

“To have these facilities to support them in that work, means a great deal to us and we are delighted with our how home.”

Seán Gallagher, who is a lifeboat crew member at Arranmore was MC for the event and Rev Pat Ward, Rev Liz FitzGerald, Rev Michael Classon, Fr John Joe Duffy, Fr Liam Boyle, and Fr John Attoh led the Service of Dedication. 

Moya Brenna, Donegal Person of the Year was special guest and unveiled a specially commissioned plaque for the opening. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Arranmore volunteer lifeboat press officer Nora Flanagan. Music was performed by the Arranmore Pipe Band, Dennis McSweeney, John Muldowney, Green Island and local Musicians. Majella O’Donnell, President of Arranmore Lifeboat Station who was unable to attend the ceremony, sent her best wishes.

Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region and Portnoo native invited Peter O’Donnell, the great-great-grandson of former Arranmore Coxswain Brian O’Donnell to present Arranmore Station mechanic Philip McCauley, also a descendent, with a photograph of Coxswain O’Donnell, along with his lifeboat certificate and a photograph of the Vandeleur, for display in the new station.

On September 1, 1883 the RNLI agreed to establish a lifeboat station on Arranmore Island. The first boat Vandeleur, was named after Rev Richard Vandeleur from Merrion Square, Dublin who donated £420 towards the cost of the lifeboat. 

The boathouse, at Leabgarrow, was completed in 1886 and is still in use as a family home and business.

Since 1883, successive generations of lifeboat crews at Arranmore have launched 1,458 times to people in trouble and saved 265 lives. Last year the lifeboat crew launched 49 times.