Clifden RNLI volunteer crew rescue family of seven during busy Saturday with two callouts
- Pat Nolan
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Sunday 19 July 2026
The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI responded to two separate emergency callouts in quick succession on Saturday (18 July), bringing a busy day to a successful conclusion with seven people brought safely to shore.
The first callout came shortly after 10am on Saturday morning when the Irish Coast Guard requested the launch of Clifden RNLI's lifeboats following reports of swimmers in difficulty near Mannin Bay.
Both of Clifden's lifeboats launched immediately. The all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was under the command of Coxswain James Mullen with David O'Reilly, Brian Ward, Neill Gallery, Darragh Wallace and Chris Nee as crew. Clifden's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was helmed by Dave Barry with Shane Conneely, Ronan Mullen and Sean Pryce on board.
The lifeboat crews quickly located the swimmers a short distance from Ballyconneely. The swimmers were found to be safe and in good condition and were able to make their way back to shore unaided.
No sooner had the volunteer crew returned to station than their pagers sounded for a second time. This time, the Coast Guard requested assistance for a family aboard a small pleasure craft that was in difficulty near Turbot Island in Clifden Bay.
John Mullen was Coxswain on the all-weather lifeboat with David O'Reilly, Alan Pryce, Caroline Barry and Darragh Wallace as crew. Clifden's Atlantic 85 launched under the command of helm James Mullen with Ronan Mullen, Brian Ward and Shane Conneely on board. The callout marked the first rescue together for father and son James and Ronan Mullen since Ronan joined Clifden RNLI earlier this year as a volunteer crew member.
The crews made their way quickly to the casualty vessel, where seven people — two parents and their five children — were at risk after their boat began drifting towards the rocky shoreline of Turbot Island.
By the time the lifeboats arrived, the wind had pushed the casualty vessel clear of the rocks and the family had managed to restart the engine. The RNLI crew carried out checks for any structural damage or water ingress before deciding it was safe to escort the vessel back to its mooring in Clifden Bay.
To make the return journey safer and more comfortable, the five children were transferred to Clifden RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat and brought ashore, while their parents returned on their small tender under the escort of the all-weather lifeboat.
Speaking after the callouts, Clifden RNLI Coxswain James Mullen said:
"Thankfully we had very good outcomes yesterday and I'd like to thank our brilliant crew who worked really well together to bring that family of seven people to safety."
"Clifden RNLI is ready to respond 24/7 to anyone who is in distress in or around the water. Please don't delay in looking for help, you could save a life by calling 999 or 112 at the first sign of trouble. Please be safe and enjoy our beautiful Connemara coast."
