Galway RNLI Volunteers Honoured for Decades of Lifesaving Service

Monday 13 July 2026

Two long-serving volunteers from Galway RNLI have been recognised for 30 years of dedicated service, while a third crew member received a 20-year long service award at a recent RNLI volunteer recognition ceremony.

Shane Folan and David Oliver with their 30 year long service medals. Photo Credit: RNLI

The event, held in Clontarf last month, celebrated volunteers from across the island of Ireland who have given 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years of service to the charity. A second recognition event was also held in Belfast.

Among those honoured were Galway crew members Shane and David, who have each volunteered with the station since it first went on service in March 1996, and Martin, who received his 20-year service medal.

Marking the occasion, Galway RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Carey reflected on the station's three decades of lifesaving service.

"This year we are celebrating 30 years since Galway Lifeboat went 'on station' in March 1996," he said. "Since that date our volunteer crew have launched on rescues 818 times, coming to the aid of 498 people, 74 of whom were lives saved."

Carey said it was remarkable that two members of the current crew had served continuously since the station's inception.

"It is incredible to think that we have two crew who have been volunteers and part of our crew since the very beginning and many more who have reached milestones of long service."

He praised the dedication of the award recipients, noting that their contribution extended far beyond emergency callouts.

"We can be incredibly proud that Galway was represented at that event by Shane and David and to have their achievements recognised along with the immense contribution of Martin who was recognised for 20 years of service. It is impossible to quantify in hours the time that they have dedicated to the RNLI and to saving lives at sea on Galway Bay."

Carey highlighted that alongside hundreds of hours spent responding to search and rescue incidents, the volunteers have committed countless more hours to training and mentoring new crew members.

"In addition to the hundreds of hours spent out on search and rescue missions, they have devoted the same time again and more to training both as part of their own training and progression plans, but also significantly as leaders on the crew, delivering training to the next generation of lifesavers."

He also paid tribute to the families and friends whose support enables volunteers to respond whenever duty calls.

"As a volunteer with the RNLI, family and friends play a really important role. They are the ones who provide support when the pager goes off in the middle of the night, in the middle of mealtimes, in the middle of large life events like weddings and Christmas Day."

Carey added that the recognition events celebrate not only the volunteers themselves but also those who support them behind the scenes.

Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the future of the station.

"We look forward to the next 30 years and longer of Galway RNLI and to marking the long service achievements of more crew in the future."

Since becoming operational in 1996, Galway RNLI has launched 818 times, assisted 498 people and helped save 74 lives, underscoring the enduring commitment of its volunteer crews to maritime safety on Galway Bay.