#navy - A special visitor this Bank Holiday weekend writes Donegal Now will make an appearance at the Annual Regatta and Community Festival in Rathmullan on the Monday.

As previously reported on Afloat, the Irish Navy's LÉ James Joyce is scheduled to arrive alongside Rathmullan Pier in support of the Community Festival and Annual Regatta.

The LÉ James Joyce (P62) is a Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) which was built by Babcock Marine Appledore for the Irish Naval Service. The vessel was delivered to the Irish Navy mid-2015 and the official naming and commissioning ceremony was held at Dún Laoghaire on September 1, 2015.

During 2016 the vessel under its Captain, Lieutenant Commander Neil Manning, rescued 2,491 people and recovered 21 deceased people. The crew also assisted the Italian authorities in the rescue of a further 1,082 people.

For more details on the visit of the OPV 90 class navy ship click here.

#navy - A Donegal T.D. Joe McHugh has announced LÉ James Joyce is to pay a visit to the county in time for the Rathmullan Community Festival and annual Regatta.

Subject to operational commitments writes the Donegal Now, LÉ James Joyce will set anchor at Rathmullan pier on Sunday August 6, said McHugh.

The festival is scheduled to begin on Saturday August 5 culminating in Regatta Day on Monday August 7.

"I want to thank the Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe and the Naval Service for assisting in this visit," said Minister McHugh.

"I'd also like to thank the Naval Service who have agreed to a request from me on behalf of the festival organisers."

The newspaper has more here.