Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI hosted their first annual "Jingle Mingle" in their RNLI shop on Saturday, 26 November and brought in €2,500 for the charity.
While raising vital funds, this event brought together and celebrated all the volunteers at Dun Laoghaire RNLI who dedicate their time to saving lives at sea.
Held in Dun Laoghaire’s Lifeboat Station and RNLI shop on the East Pier of Dun Laoghaire’s famous 200+-year-old Victorian port, the crew of volunteers invited all locals and visitors to ‘Jingle Mingle’ with them. The station was decorated with Christmas lights, and live music from the Steadfast Brass Band made sure the event was heard loud and clear!
After Christmas shopping in Dun Laoghaire’s RNLI shop, customers were invited down to the waterfront to have a hot chocolate and gingerbread person courtesy of Dun Laoghaire RNLI to say thank you for supporting the charity that saves lives at sea this Christmas. Not one to miss out on the Christmas goodies, Santa traded his sleigh for the Anna Livia, Dun Laoghaire’s all-weather Trent-class lifeboat, and greeted everyone into the station.
After Christmas shopping in Dun Laoghaire’s RNLI shop, customers were invited down to the waterfront to have a hot chocolate and gingerbread person courtesy of Dun Laoghaire RNLI
The shop made four special Christmas hampers and anyone who bought something from the shop was entered into the lucky draw. The retail hamper is particularly special to the Dun Laoghaire RNLI because it harks back to a tradition between the volunteer lifeboat crew and the Kish lighthouse keepers from over 30 years ago.
Eamon O’Leary, Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s Deputy Launching Authority, remembers:
‘Before Kish Lighthouse went automatic in 1992, we decided that we would deliver the lighthouse keepers a hamper to share some of our Christmas cheer. The last time we set off into Dublin Bay, with Santa on crew, was in December 1991 on our former Waveney-class lifeboat the Lady of Lancashire. We’re delighted to see the festive spirit continue 30 years on through our shop!'
The RNLI’s shops are one way to support the charity this Christmas. Pauline McGann, RNLI Community Manager for Leinster, says:
‘The RNLI shop in Dun Laoghaire is a vital part of the coastal community because it gives us a space to raise funds for the lifeboat in an area where the RNLI has a deep and significant history in the local culture.
Just like the volunteers who have been going out to sea on the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat for 180 years, our shop volunteers are committed to saving lives at sea. They provide exemplar customer service with their extensive knowledge of the RNLI and the products we provide. From our popular charity Christmas cards to hats and clothing to jigsaws and games – we have a huge selection for the family!’
Barbara Taylor, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Shop Manager, thanks everyone who came down to support the event:
‘We are so thankful for everyone who came down to visit this weekend; in the shop we pride ourselves on our engaging interactions with our customers - we get so much from working with the public, and it means a lot to do something that we know is so meaningful for our amazing lifeboat crew.
Christmas is a special time for us here in Dun Laoghaire, and we were pleased to invite the community to come down to the Lifeboat Station to ‘Jingle Mingle’ with our volunteers! This is an event that we look forward to doing again next year.’
Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s shop is in the station on 2 Queens Road next to the East Pier. The shop opening times are:
- Monday 1 pm – 5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm
- Thursday 10 am – 5 pm
- Friday 10 am – 5 pm
- Saturday 1 pm – 5 pm
- Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm
