Bundoran RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers have experienced an exceptionally busy start to the warm weather period, with crews tasked four times in a 24-hour period as large crowds flocked to local beaches and coastal areas.
On Sunday (24 May), the volunteer crew at the Co Donegal lifeboat station were alerted to a missing child on a local beach, who was thankfully found safe and well.
Following this, the crew were paged to assist a stand-up paddleboarder who found themselves in difficulty in the water. Thankfully, a member of the public was able to come to their aid before the situation escalated further.
On Tuesday (26 May) the volunteer crew were tasked to assist two teenagers who got into difficulty after being dragged by strong currents as far as “The Peak”, a well-known surf break off the Bundoran coastline.
The teenagers were safely brought ashore, while two other casualties were rescued from the water by nearby surfers before emergency services arrived on scene.
Daimon Fergus, lifeboat operations manager at Bundoran RNLI said the increase in callouts highlights the importance of water safety as large crowds continue to visit beaches during the spell of good weather.
Speaking after the latest call-out, Fergus added: “The warm weather has brought huge numbers of people to the coast, many of whom may not be familiar with local conditions, tides or currents. We would urge everyone to take extra care when entering the water and to always carry a means of calling for help.
“We would like to remind people that if they see anyone in trouble in the water, they should dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
Fergus also highlighted that there are currently no lifeguards on duty at local beaches, as the 2026 seasonal service has not yet begun. He urged the public to be especially vigilant and to take extra personal responsibility when entering the water or supervising children near the shoreline.
