Galway Lifeboat Station Bids Farewell to Long-Serving Crew Member Olivia Byrne
- Pat Nolan
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Tuesday 5 May 2026
After more than two decades of service, Olivia Byrne has stepped down from active duty with the Galway Lifeboat Station, marking the end of an extraordinary 23-year chapter defined by dedication, skill, and compassion.
Olivia, a qualified nurse, midwife, and public health nurse, has been a cornerstone of the lifeboat crew, responding to an impressive 167 emergency callouts. Over the years, she has faced a wide spectrum of incidents at sea, from assisting injured passengers aboard cruise ships to responding to critical medical emergencies such as cardiac arrests and severe trauma, including fractured hips. Her role has also extended to the most difficult of circumstances, supporting operations involving lives lost to drowning.
What set Olivia apart was not only her commitment to answering the call but also the depth of medical expertise she brought to the crew. Her professional background allowed her to elevate the station’s approach to casualty care. She regularly led hands-on training exercises, ensuring fellow volunteers were equipped with the confidence and competence to respond effectively in high-pressure situations.
Recognising the importance of realistic training, Olivia also played a key role in building a lasting partnership with the University of Galway, specifically its College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Through this collaboration, lifeboat crew members gained access to the university’s Clinical Simulation and Interprofessional Education Facility, where they could practise advanced casualty care scenarios in a controlled, real-time environment, an initiative that continues to benefit the station today.
Speaking about her time at sea with the lifeboat Olivia said: ‘Thinking back over the hundreds of hours I’ve spent at sea on rescues, it is the people that I remember. All those people who we saved and the families whose loved ones we brought home. It has been a privilege for me to be part of the Galway RNLI and to serve on the boat with the crews over the past 23 years. I would especially like to thank Paul Carey, Mike Swan and Pat Lavelle, the Lifeboat Operations Managers who were all pivotal in my lifeboat journey.’
