Back-to-Back Call Outs for Courtmacsherry RNLI in Blustery West Cork Conditions
- Pat Nolan
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Monday 11 May 2026
Volunteer crew members from the Courtmacsherry RNLI launched twice within hours on Sunday afternoon after separate reports of swimmers getting into difficulty off the West Cork coast during blustery offshore conditions.
The first alert came at 3.58pm when the Courtmacsherry RNLI all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was tasked to assist a swimmer who had become caught in offshore winds off Garrylucas Beach, near the Old Head of Kinsale.
Under the command of Coxswain Ken Cashman and with a crew of five onboard, the lifeboat launched within 10 minutes and made its way at top speed to the scene. By the time the crew arrived, the swimmer had managed to battle through rough sea conditions and safely reach the shore.
Following the successful outcome, the lifeboat returned to base and was back on its mooring in Courtmacsherry by 5.30pm.
However, just half an hour later, at 6pm, pagers were activated again by Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre following reports of another swimmer in difficulty, this time near Garretstown Beach, also in challenging offshore winds.
Once again, Coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five launched quickly, departing within nine minutes to begin a search operation in the area. Also involved in the multi-agency response were the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford and the Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit.
A detailed search of both the sea and shoreline was carried out by the lifeboat crew, helicopter personnel and Coast Guard volunteers. After extensive searches and further discussions with the three people who had raised the alarm, it was confirmed that the swimmer had managed to make it safely ashore. The search operation was stood down shortly after 7.20pm.
Speaking after the incidents, Courtmacsherry RNLI Launch Authority Vincent O’Donovan praised both the public and the volunteer crew members for their swift actions.
“It was a difficult blustery day off the coast today and great thanks is due to the people that quickly called 999 or 112 when they noticed people in difficulty, allowing the rescue authorities to respond quickly,” he said.
“It was also great to have 12 volunteer crew members respond quickly within minutes to the call outs on a busy Sunday in the village.”
The crew involved in Sunday’s call outs included Coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanics Tadgh McCarthy and Dave Philips, along with crew members Niamh Hurley, Mark John Gannon, Luke Hanley, Ian McCarthy and Peter Nunan.
