The RNLI is launching its annual Christmas fundraising appeal for 2025, as its volunteer lifeboat crews throughout the island of Ireland selflessly prepare to spend their festive season on call.
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the period from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day every year, with 119 launches in 2024.
Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to leave their celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and save lives at sea.
These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.
Peter Duff, Skerries RNLI lifeboat operations manager pictured alongside the inshore lifeboat at Skerries Lifeboat Station | Credit: RNLI/Gerry Canning
Among those preparing for their first Christmas on call is Peter Duff, the new lifeboat operations manager at Skerries RNLI in north Co Dublin.
Peter, a retired garda from north Dublin, is three months into his new role and enjoying the responsibility that comes with leading a dedicated team of volunteers.
“It has been a massive learning experience so far and I have been getting to know all the various roles within the station,” Peter said. “I have met a lot of people by coming down on training nights and doing admin tasks when the volunteers are working and I am learning from other people’s knowledge.”
As for what he finds most rewarding about being involved, Peter says: “It’s helping people. Knowing that you can play some small part in putting the lifeboat on the water and that you can assist the crew in some way when they return, that is rewarding.”
Looking towards his first Christmas on call, Peter says for those at Skerries and across the RNLI, it will be treated the same as every other day: “There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families — especially at Christmas. Even at this time of year, people still get in trouble in the water, and we’re all prepared to leave our own celebrations to help them.”
Father-and-daughter Aodh and Muireann O’Donnell from Union Hall RNLI in lifeboat kit standing in front of the station’s inshore lifeboat | Credit: RNLI/Union Hall
In West Cork, Muireann O’Donnell at Union Hall RNLI is preparing for her first Christmas on call. Muireann joined as crew this year after being inspired by her own dad, Aodh O’Donnell, who is helm and a local trainer assessor.
Muireann, an assistant marine co-ordinator and in construction for film and television, knew from a young age that she wanted to be out on the sea.
“I always knew I was going to have something to do with search and rescue, then in 2014 Union Hall RNLI’s lifeboat station opened. I knew straight away I wanted to join when I was old enough,” she said.
“Dad is a brilliant role model — if only I could learn half of what he knows. I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without him, I am so lucky to be able to learn from him and the other helms and crew at the station.”
As for preparing for a Christmas on call, Muireann says the approach will be the same as every other day of the year: “Whether it’s hot summer’s day or a miserable winter’s night, we are always there to help. People should never be afraid to call for help, we would much rather be called and stood down then not called at all, no matter what day it is.”
Father-and-son Sean and Kieran O’Donnell from Arranmore RNLI shaking hands with the lifeboat in the water behind them | Credit: RNLI/Arranmore
At the other end of Ireland, Kieran O’Donnell from Arranmore RNLI will be on call this Christmas for the first time as coxswain, six months after passing his final assessment.
The role of full-time coxswain can be busy. “Being on pager comes with its difficulties, like any emergency service,” Kieran says. “Simple things like popping to Burtonport for petrol for your car can be difficult as the coxswain position needs to be covered at all times.
“Only a few weeks ago I had to leave a family function and respond to the pager. But while it can be difficult to rush away, it is well worth it knowing you can help someone in need.”
As he prepares for his first Christmas on call as coxswain, Kieran says: “This has been our station’s busiest year on record so it would be nice to get through the Christmas dinner without interruption but at the same time our dedicated volunteers will be there as always to answer the call.”
Lough Ree RNLI’s new lifeboat operations manager Dave McCourt pictured alongside the lifeboat at the station | Credit: Tom Cunningham
At Lough Ree RNLI in the midlands, Dave McCourt is three months into his new role as lifeboat operations manager and enjoying the responsibility that comes with leading a dedicated team of volunteers.
“I live three kilometres from the lifeboat station and spend a lot of my time at Coosan Point either rowing or open water swimming,” Dave explains. ‘“ have always been aware of the work of the RNLI since the station was established here, both professionally and with my family and it was a case of getting involved at the right time.”
Dave, who works in social housing, spent 21 years in the Defence Forces’ Corps of Engineering which provided him with many transferrable skills he now uses to carry out the LOM role.
At Lough Ree RNLI, he is tasked with the leadership of the station’s operations team, ensuring that all operational activities are carried out to maintain the inshore lifeboat and her associated equipment so they are in a constant state of readiness for launching. Dave, along with his fellow launch authorities, is also responsible for authorising the launch of the lifeboat.
“I am really enjoying it,” he says. “There is a lot to get to grips with but there is a lot of positivity at the station, and the team are great in embodying a one crew ethos regardless of what volunteer role they have. The team have great ideas and we are also welcoming a lot of new blood into the station too.”
As for what he finds most rewarding about giving his time, Dave says: “It is the purpose behind the RNLI — saving lives and keeping the lake safe so people can enjoy it. Knowing the RNLI is there if something happens is important. There is also great camaraderie among the team and everyone works really well together.”
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but the RNLI’s volunteer crews are ready to leave their own celebrations this festive season and answer the call for help.
And they couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment they need to save others and get home safely to their own families.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.
