RNLI Aran Islands crew honoured for skill, dedication and rescue efforts
- Pat Nolan
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday 15 April 2026
Volunteer crew members on the RNLI station in the Aran Islands are celebrating significant milestones as two of their own continue to progress in their lifesaving roles.
Leah Ní Shearcaigh and Billy Gillan have successfully completed their Tier 1 assessment aboard the Severn Class lifeboat David Kirkaldy, marking an important step forward in their development as crew members. The assessment was carried out during an exercise by Sean Ginnelly, who evaluated the pair on key operational skills including anchoring, rope handling and local knowledge core competencies required for effective lifeboat service.
Following the exercise, the crew returned to the station where Leah received special recognition. She was presented with a commendation by Lifeboat Operations Manager Avril Ní Shearcaigh who is also her sister in acknowledgment of her outstanding contribution during a challenging callout in 2024.
That incident involved a response to reports of a casualty at the Cliffs of Moher. Over the course of a demanding six-hour operation, the Aran Islands lifeboat crew successfully recovered the casualty. The RNLI commended all involved for demonstrating exceptional courage, professionalism, and teamwork under difficult conditions.
These achievements highlight both the dedication of volunteer crew members and the critical role they play in ensuring safety along Ireland’s rugged coastline.
Speaking to Avril Ní Shearcaigh, Lifeboat Operations Manager, she said: ‘I’m delighted for both Billy and Leah on passing their Tier One Assessment. They have put in a lot of time and effort into their training.’
‘I’m also proud to present Leah with her commendation. She demonstrated exceptional resilience, professionalism and teamwork throughout the callout along with her fellow volunteers, who work together in challenging conditions to deliver the best possible outcome.’
