Lough Ree RNLI volunteers mark 200 years in Dublin and Westminster

Lough Ree RNLI is one of the newest stations the charity has on the island of Ireland and crew members proudly marked two centuries of lifesaving at special events in Dublin and London on Monday.

At North Wall Quay in Dublin volunteer helm Liam Sheringham was one of a number of RNLI crew from around the country who marked the birthday with the launch of two special edition stamps from An Post. The stamps were designed by Dave Mooney and by coincidence feature an Atlanic 85 lifeboat just like the ‘Tara Scougall’ which serves the community around Lough Ree.

Meanwhile in London, a special Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey was attended by three volunteers from Lough Ree RNLI, Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Ganly, Treasurer Vincent Rafter and Station Visits Officer Paul Kelly. They joined with colleagues from around Ireland and the UK to mark the foundation of the charity which was founded following a meeting in The London Tavern on this day in 1824.

Speaking after the ceremony Kevin Ganly said: "It was a real privilege to be part of a day which commemorates the past, celebrates the present and strives to inspire the future of the RNLI."

The first RNLI lifeboat station was established in Arklow, Co. Wicklow in 1826, today there are 46 stations on the island of Ireland, Lough Ree RNLI is one of four which are on inland waters.

To mark the bicentenary Irish Rail facilitated the lighting up of the White Bridge in Athlone in yellow over the weekend. Further events are planned in the course of the year including a special ‘One Moment, One Crew’ occasion on August 1 and the arrival of a commemorative scroll which will visit selected lifeboat stations.