#RNLI - The RNLI’s festive Reindeer Runs are back in three locations in Cork and Dublin.

And the charity that saves lives at sea is encouraging families to come out, get involved and get moving for a great cause.

Renowned athlete and author Derval O’Rourke is the Reindeer Run ambassador and put her support behind the event as she joined lifeboat crew and their families at Fota Park House and Gardens in Cork for the official launch recently.

Speaking at the event, she said: “It is a real privilege to be back as the ambassador for the Reindeer Run which is a fantastic fundraising event for the RNLI.

“The RNLI is a charity close to my heart, as my husband [and fellow Olympian Peter O'Leary] is heavily involved in sailing and I find it incredibly reassuring that the RNLI provides such a great service.

“This event combines our families’ two big passions running and the water. With all of our lives becoming increasing sedentary an event such as the Reindeer Run is a fantastic opportunity to get out and get moving in three stunning venues around Ireland.

“I am really excited to be there on the day, and to be able to give out my ‘fit foodie’ goodie bags to the deserving winners.”

Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat helm Vince Fleming was joined by his two daughters Saoirse and Zarah at the launch and spoke about why the Reindeer Runs are so important.

“As a charity we rely on the goodwill of the public and it is great to be able to hold events like these that are family focused, great fun and give people a an enjoyable day out for a good cause,” he said.

“The funds we raise through the Reindeer Runs support the RNLI in Ireland, providing vital training, equipment and kit for the volunteer lifeboat crew.

“The RNLI is not just about the lifeboat volunteers and the wider team behind the launches and fundraising. There are also the countless families behind every callout for every person brought home.”

The RNLI Reindeer Runs are being held on Sunday 20 November at Liss Ard Estate, Skibbereen; Sunday 27 November at Fota Park House and Gardens, Cork; and Sunday 4 December in Marlay Park, Dublin.

The event consists of a 5km and 10km run or walk and a 1km Santa Saunter for children. Entry fees for the longer distances are €20/€22 with the Santa Saunter €12.50 with accompanying adults free. All participants get a festive RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt and a pair of novelty antlers to wear.

For more information and to register for the event, visit www.rnli.org/reindeerrun

#RNLI - As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the RNLI has kickstarted its festive season with the launch of the charity’s popular Reindeer Runs in Dublin and Cork.

Returning to Marlay Park in Rathfarnham on Sunday 6 December, the Dublin leg of this well-established event will raise funds to help volunteer crew at Skerries, Howth and Dun Laoghaire lifeboat stations to continue to save lives at sea.

TV presenter, author and adventurer Teena Gates will be present on the day to start the run and lead the participants in the popular ‘Rookie the Reindeer Warm-Up’.

Speaking at the launch for the Dublin Reindeer Run, Gates said she was "thrilled to once again be supporting the RNLI Reindeer Run in Marlay Park. Having been involved with this event for a few years now I would urge people to sign up and help raise funds for a great charity that is close to my heart.

"The RNLI has been saving lives at sea off the Dublin coast for generations. Their volunteer lifeboat crews are ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things to save lives and prevent disaster.

"None of us in Dublin live very far from the sea and we never know when we or someone we love will need their help, so here is a wonderful way to support them. Get signed up and come over to Marlay Park and spread a little Christmas cheer for the lifeboats."

Volunteer crew member Stephen Mullaney from Howth RNLI added" "Last year, RNLI lifeboats in Dublin launched 137 times, bringing 185 people to safety. While the figures show that our lifeboat crews are busy all year round some of our most challenging call outs will occur over the winter months.

"However, having the support of people who so generously fundraise and sign up to take part in events such as the reindeer run, means that we can avail of first class training and equipment and be ready to answer the call and help someone in need when our pagers go off."

The reindeer run caters for all abilities and ages with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run, a 3k option for juniors or a shorter Santa Saunter.

For anyone who can’t participate in the event but would like to come along and soak up the atmosphere, there are a number of volunteer marshalling roles to be filled. To get involved please contact RNLI community fundraising manager Pauline McGann at 087 997 4038 or email [email protected]

The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, has joined forces with World champion and European sprint hurdle medallist Derval O’Rourke (and wife of Olympic sailor Peter O'Leary) to launch three RNLI Reindeer Runs in Cork and Dublin.

The three time Olympian athlete and author visited Fota House and Gardens outside Cobh to team up with volunteer lifeboat crew and kick-start the festivities for the upcoming reindeer runs. The events will be held at Liss Ard Estate in Skibbereen on Sunday 22 November, Fota House and Gardens outside Cobh on Sunday 29 November and Marlay Park in Dublin on Sunday 6 December.

Due to the popularity of the reindeer runs, the charity has introduced a third venue at Liss Ard Estate this year. The stunning 200-acre estate in West Cork is located close to the RNLI’s newest lifeboat station at Union Hall which was established on a trial basis in September last year.

Launching the reindeer runs, Derval was joined by Union Hall RNLI crew members Shane and Stephen Hurley, Helvick Head RNLI crew member Liam Harty and Youghal RNLI crew member Martin Morris.

Born and raised in County Cork where the RNLI has eight lifeboat stations, RNLI supporter Derval, is familiar with the charity’s lifesaving work:
‘Living in Cork, I am all too aware of the search and rescue work the RNLI carries out around the coast and of the commitment of its lifeboat crews who dedicate themselves to regular training and to responding to their pagers at any time of the day or night.
‘Having experienced the festive spirit at an RNLI reindeer run for the first time last year, I am delighted to see that the event is going from strength to strength and that the RNLI has introduced an additional venue for West Cork. These events are a great way for us to build in some exercise in what can be a hectic season while also showing our support for our lifeboat crews as they continue to save lives at sea.’

Looking forward to the first reindeer run at Liss Ard Estate which begins at 10.30am, Stephen Hurley from Union Hall RNLI said: ‘We have had a busy first year in Union Hall and have been overwhelmed by the goodwill shown by the people of West Cork and much further afield.

‘Last year, RNLI lifeboats in Cork launched 163 times, bringing 218 people to safety. Across Ireland, there were 1,089 lifeboat launches and 1,414 people were rescued. While the figures show that our lifeboat crews are busy all year round, some of our most challenging call outs will occur over the winter months. However, having the support of people who so generously fundraise and sign up to take part in events such as the reindeer runs, means that we can avail of first class training and equipment and be ready to answer the call and help someone in need when our pagers go off.’

The second reindeer run in Cork takes place on Sunday, 29 November at Fota House and Gardens, starting at 10.30am.

Dublin’s reindeer run will take place in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham on Sunday 6 December, starting at 10am.

All abilities and ages are catered for with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run or a shorter Santa Saunter.

Registration for the three events is now open online at rnli.org/reindeer and costs €20 for the 5K and €22 for the 10K. Children’s tickets are €10 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) is €55. All participants in the 5K and 10K will receive an RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt, a pair of antlers and a car sticker.

#RNLI - In what was a first for the RNLI Reindeer Run, there was a marriage proposal at last Sunday’s (30 November) event in Marlay Park to raise funds for Ireland's lifeboat service.

Conor Hayes, a native of Tipperary, chose the festive occasion to get down on one knee and ask girlfriend Edel Higgins from Sligo to marry him.

The couple, who met and work in Dublin, are regular runners.

"This was our first RNLI run but it definitely won't be our last," said Hayes said after a delighted Higgins said yes.

"We have no plans for the wedding yet. We are just enjoying the celebrations at the moment."

#RNLI - Due to popular demand, the RNLI Reindeer Run returns this year to raise funds for the lifeboat institution and its volunteer crews in Dublin.

The charity event encourages people to have fun while supporting the RNLI in their work saving lives at sea.

This year the Reindeer Run is being held on Sunday 30 November at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham with a Santa Saunter, 1.5km and 3km Rookie Runs for younger participants and 5km and 10km routes for runners and walkers. Registration for the event is now open.

Well-known author and adventurer Teena Gates will be present on the day to start the fun and put the participants through their paces, with a warm up before the event co-hosted with Rookie the Reindeer.

Since leaving 98fm as head of news, Gates motivates and inspires others through her challenges and passion for fitness through such challenges as her climb to Everest base camp.

"I can’t think of a better way to support the RNLI than coming out and having fun by walking or running around Marlay Park for the lifeboats," she said.

"I know first hand the incredible work the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews carry out along the coast and I encourage people to turn up, show their support, get in some exercise and raise funds for this wonderful charity.

"So many people across Dublin are taking up exercise and events like these are a great way to blow off the cobwebs and give it a go. Last year hundreds of people from across Dublin, north and south, took part in the Reindeer Run and I hope we can beat that number this year.

"The sight of hundreds of people gallivanting around Marlay Park in their red Reindeer Run t-shirts with antlers on top of their heads was a sight I will never forget."

Speaking at the launch, Howth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member Lorcan Dignam said: "We are so grateful to the many people who raise funds to keep the lifeboats afloat in Dublin.

"The RNLI is a charity and relies on the generosity of the public to ensure that we can go to sea at any time to save lives with the best in equipment and training. People never know when they will need us but we will always be there."

Adding his voice to the call for registrations, Skerries RNLI crew Gerry Canning said: "The RNLI has been very busy this year and the demand for our services sees us helping many people off our coast.

"It’s not just people in boats that we help, but everyone who uses the water including swimmers, kayakers and people who get cut off by rising tides. Funds raised by the public go to support our training, kit and equipment."

Dun Laoghaire RNLI crew Damien Payne added: "Last year I did the 5km Reindeer Run in my full lifeboat kit and the support I received from the other runners and walkers along the route was fantastic.

"There are three Dublin RNLI lifeboat stations which are part of a ring of 45 throughout Ireland. Volunteer lifeboat crew are trained and ready to launch at any hour of any day, all year round, to respond to calls for help at sea and I am proud to be one of them.’

Last year Dublin lifeboats launched a total 124 times and brought 166 people to safety, 18 of those were young people. Registration is now open HERE or at rnli.org/reindeer or via email at [email protected] and costs €10 for the 1.5km and 3km Santa Saunters or €20 for the 5km and 10km.

#RNLI - Nearly 1,000 people from all over Leinster and beyond took part in the annual RNLI Reindeer Run at Marlay Park on Sunday 1 December.

It was a sea of festive red as entrants in the 5K, 10K and Santa Saunter got into the Christmas spirit by wearing a novelty pair of antlers and a special Reindeer Run T-shirt.

Supporting the runners and walkers around the course this year were lifeboat crew from Dublin’s three stations in Howth, Skerries and Dun Laoghaire. From the latter, Damien Payne was joined by colleague Paul Cummins took an extra step by running the 5K in their full RNLI crew kit.

Also mooing the runners was 98FM’s Teena Gates, who led the warm-up sessions with Rookie the Reindeer. Gates also took part in the short Santa Saunter organised for the event’s younger participants before running in the 5K.

As for the winners? It was Longford man Stephen Farrell who was first around the 10K course while Alison Davidson from Dublin took the honours for the ladies. Nicolae Buceanu won the 5K men’s event while Emer Dillon from Arklow was the first of the women to the finish line.

Speaking after the successful day, RNLI community fundraising manager for Leinster Pauline McGann said: "We were thrilled with how the event went and that so many people turned out to support the RNLI. The atmosphere was great, with children and adults all getting into the Christmas spirit and enjoying the different events.

"It was a great way to kick off the festive season while raising vital funds and we would like to thank everyone who took part."

The Marlay Park Reindeer Run was sponsored by Green Property, Haines Fleet and SuperValu Malahide.

#RNLI - Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteer crewmember Damien Payne has vowed to complete the popular Reindeer Run charity event on the 5km course in his full RNLI crew kit.

Payne hopes to both fundraise for the lifesaving charity and to show people the kit that the money they raise can buy.



Originally from Cork but now works in Dublin with a healthcare company, Payne has been a volunteer at the busy Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat station for two years.



The lifeboat kit he will be running in consists of the distinctive yellow oil skin jacket and dungarees with the red RNLI lifejacket that all crew must wear when they go to sea. 

The only concession he's making is to leave the steel-capped yellow wellies at the starting line and to don a pair of trainers instead. An RNLI lifejacket costs €420 and the special yellow wellies cost €50.



Payne explained his reasons for taking part in the run wearing his lifeboat kit: “I want to wear the RNLI lifeboat crew kit to show people where the funds they raise are going and how vital our equipment is in the work we do. 



"One of the first callouts I took part in was late one Friday afternoon to four children who were cut off on a sandbank by the incoming tide in Sandymount. They had no lifejackets and they couldn’t swim. 

"When we recovered the children onto our lifeboat we learned it was the first time they had been on a boat and they had no knowledge of water safety."

Payne added: "The equipment and training we use in the RNLI is essential to the work we do and without we would not have been able to bring those children to safety."

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, year's Reindeer Runs are being held on Sunday 1 December at Marlay Park in Dublin and on Sunday 24 November at Fota House and Gardens in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork with a 5km and 10km walk or run, and a 1km Santa Saunter for younger participants.

Registration is now open and costs €10 for the saunter, €21 for the 5km and €23 for the 10km run or walk. There are also family and group rates available. All participants receive a limited edition RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt and a pair of antlers. 

Further information and registration details are available at rnli.org/reindeer or by emailing [email protected] for Dublin or [email protected] for Cork. 

#RNLI - The hugely popular RNLI Reindeer Runs have returned to raise funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.

The event has fast become a favourite with families, runners and walkers, many of whom dress up in antlers to join in the fun and raise funds for the charity.

This year's Reindeer Runs are being held on Sunday 1 December at Marlay Park in Dublin and on Sunday 24 November at Fota House and Gardens in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork with a 5km and 10km walk or run, and a 1km Santa Saunter for younger participants.



RNLI community fundraising manager Pauline McGann is encouraging entrants to register early as places are limited. 

"This is the fourth year of the RNLI Reindeer Runs and they have become hugely popular," she says. "They are now a major event on the charity’s Christmas calendar. We wanted to hold an event that would cater for everyone but would also have a large element of fun."



RNLI lifeboats are busy all year round but some of their most challenging callouts occur over the winter months in complete darkness.

This summer saw a 43 percent increase in the number of callouts RNLI lifeboats attended, with Irish lifeboats launched 571 times.



Among those taking part in the Dublin Reindeer Run will be Howth RNLI lifeboat mechanic Ian Sheridan and his family.

"We are so grateful to the many people who raise funds to keep the lifeboats afloat," says Sheridan. "The RNLI is a charity and relies on the generosity of the public to ensure that we can go to sea at any time to save lives with the best in equipment and training. People never know when they will need us but we will always be there."



Registration is now open and costs €10 for the saunter, €21 for the 5km and €23 for the 10km run or walk. There are also family and group rates available. All participants receive a limited edition RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt and a pair of antlers. 

Further information and registration details are available at rnli.org/reindeer or by emailing [email protected] for Dublin or [email protected] for Cork.