President of Ireland marks 200 years of lifesaving at Arklow RNLI
Friday 9 October 2026
President Catherine Connolly unveils commemorative plaque at Ireland’s oldest established RNLI lifeboat station.
The President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, and her husband, Brian McEnery, visited Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Station today (Friday 9 October) to mark 200 years of lifesaving service to the community.
During the special anniversary visit, President Connolly unveiled a commemorative plaque honouring all those who have served at the station and helped save lives at sea over the past two centuries.
The President also met volunteer lifeboat crew members and their families, before receiving a personal tour of the station’s Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat.
On arrival, President Connolly was welcomed by Lifeboat Operations Manager John Bermingham, Station Coxswain Ned Dillon, Senior Station Technician James Russell, Fundraising Chair Joy Crosbie and Fundraising Secretary Majella Myler. RNLI Trustee Dr John Killeen and Head of Region Mike Grocott were also in attendance.
A short ceremony followed, during which John Bermingham outlined the history of Arklow RNLI and its longstanding commitment to saving lives at sea. Dr John Killeen then proposed a vote of thanks, before Father Padraig Ó Cochlainn delivered the lifeboat prayer.
President Connolly was subsequently invited to unveil the anniversary plaque, marking a significant milestone for a station whose history is closely woven into the maritime heritage of Arklow and the surrounding community.
Adding to the occasion, Eoin Russell and Nell McElheron, children of serving lifeboat crew members, presented the President with flowers and a framed photograph of the station and crew. Arklow Shipping Silver Band and harpist Caoimhe Browne provided musical performances during the ceremony.
Before concluding her visit, President Connolly was given a tour of the Shannon-class lifeboat by Coxswain Ned Dillon and Senior Station Technician James Russell.
Named after the River Shannon, the lifeboat class takes its name from a proposal by former Arklow Lifeboat Operations Manager Jimmy Tyrrell. All RNLI all-weather lifeboats are named after rivers, with the Shannon chosen in recognition of the contribution of Irish lifeboat volunteers and their service to the Institution.
The Shannon is the first modern RNLI all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by water jets rather than traditional propellers, providing exceptional agility and manoeuvrability at sea.
Speaking during the visit, President Connolly paid tribute to the generations of volunteers who have served at Arklow and the community that has supported them.
She said: ‘As President of Ireland, it is a privilege to mark the 200th anniversary of the Arklow RNLI lifeboat station, the oldest established RNLI station on the island of Ireland.
‘As a volunteer-led station, the community of Arklow and surrounding areas are owed a debt of gratitude by all of us for their work in saving the lives of more than 443 people over the last two centuries and for protecting the lives of all those who work on or enjoy our seas.
‘Is eiseamláir a gcrógacht agus a dtiomantas den spiorad pobail is láidre.
‘Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil le chuile dhuine a bhí i mbun oibre nó a thug tacaíocht do stáisiún bád tarrthála RNLI An tInbhear Mór le dhá chéad bliain anuas, ní bheadh ann dó gan sibh. Guím gach rath agus beannacht oraibh sna blianta amach romhaibh. Go mba fada buan agus slán sibh.’
John Bermingham, Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘It was a huge honour to welcome President Connolly to Arklow Lifeboat Station, the oldest RNLI station in Ireland. We are very proud of our lifeboat community and its lifesaving tradition that goes back over two centuries. Behind every station are incredible people who, through their time, commitment and dedication, make everything happen. This has been a special day.’
Arklow RNLI’s lifesaving record stands as a testament to the courage, skill and dedication of its volunteers, past and present. Over the station’s 200-year history, its lifeboat crews have been credited with saving more than 443 lives through 803 lifeboat launches.
The station has also been awarded five RNLI Silver Medals in recognition of exceptional courage and seamanship, reflecting the bravery of those who have answered the call to help others in peril at sea.
As Arklow RNLI celebrates its bicentenary, the anniversary honours not only the generations who have served on its lifeboats, but also the families, fundraisers and wider community whose unwavering support has sustained the station’s lifesaving work for 200 years.
