Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat marks historic 1,000th launch
- Pat Nolan
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Wednesday 5 August 2026
The Aran Islands RNLI has marked a significant milestone after its Severn class lifeboat, David Kirkaldy, completed its 1,000th service launch yesterday (Tuesday 4 August), becoming the first RNLI lifeboat in Ireland to reach the landmark.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch at 6.08pm to carry out a medical evacuation from Inis Mór. After safely transferring the patient to Ros a Mhíl, the lifeboat returned to Inis Mór where the crew were welcomed by emergency service colleagues, former crew members and members of the local community who had gathered to mark the historic occasion.
The David Kirkaldy arrived at Aran Islands RNLI in 1997 following extensive sea trials in Poole. The lifeboat's first service launch took place on 19 May 1997 at 6.50pm, when she was called to carry out a medical evacuation from Inis Mór under the command of the late Coxswain Pádraic Dillane. Also on board were Mechanic John Mulkerrin and crew members Éanna Dillane, Joe Gill, Máirtín Fitzpatrick, Martin Mulkerrin and Michael Ó Cualáin.
Yesterday's milestone launch was under the command of Coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, with Mechanic Máirtín Coyne and crew members Michael Ó Cualáin, Brian Ó Cualáin and Máirtín Gill. The launch authority was Aidan Coughlan.
The occasion held special significance for Michael Ó Cualáin, who served on both the lifeboat's very first launch in 1997 and its 1,000th launch 29 years later, this time alongside his son, Brian. It was also a proud moment for crew member Máirtín Gill, whose father, former Aran Islands RNLI crew member Joe Gill, was part of the original crew in 1997 and was waiting on the pontoon to welcome the lifeboat home after its historic 1,000th launch.
Speaking after the call, Coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin said:
"It was an honour to serve as coxswain for this milestone. The David Kirkaldy becoming the first RNLI lifeboat in Ireland to reach 1,000 launches is a proud moment for our station.
"Reaching 1,000 launches is a testament not only to the vessel's remarkable capability after almost 30 years of service, but also to the dedication of our volunteers, who have answered the pager day and night, in all weather conditions, to help those in need."
Lifeboat Operations Manager Avril Ní Shearcaigh added:
"This milestone comes at a particularly special time for the station, as Aran Islands RNLI Lifeboat Station will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. It's an opportunity not only to reflect on the remarkable achievements of the generations of volunteers who have served before us, but also to celebrate a century of lifesaving service to the Aran Islands and the surrounding waters."
Since the station opened in 1927, Aran Islands RNLI has launched on 2,387 occasions, providing lifesaving assistance to those in difficulty at sea and carrying out countless medical evacuations for the island community. This remarkable record has been made possible through the dedication of generations of volunteers and the unwavering support of the local 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 reaching this proud milestone.
