Lough Derg RNLI were requested to launch on Saturday (30 March) to assist a lone sailor on a 35ft cruiser with fouled propellers and adrift in Dromineer Bay.

Following the request from Valentia Coast Guard, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier — with helm Owen Cavanagh and crew Doireann Kennedy, Tom Hayes and Ania Skrzypczynska-Tucker on board — launched at 5.28pm. Winds were with south-easterly Force 3 with good visibility.

At 5.42pm the lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel, where the skipper was found safe and well and wearing a lifejacket.

The skipper explained that as the wind had dropped he was unable to sail home, and a line overboard had fouled the propellers so the cruiser couldn’t motor back to harbour.

Given the location on the navigation channel, and the hour, the lifeboat helm decided the safest course of action was to assist the casualty vessel back to the nearest safe harbour.

At 6.02pm the casualty vessel was secured alongside in Dromineer Harbour. The lifeboat departed the scene was back at station at 6.10pm.

Peter Kennedy, launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “stow lines carefully and always make sure someone on the shore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time”.

Following an emergency call from a member of the public on shore on Sunday morning (24 March), Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to assist a family of four on a 34ft cruiser reported aground near Portumna, at the northern end of Lough Derg.

Already afloat on exercise with helm Dom Sharkey and crew Joe O’Donoghue, Tom Hayes and Ciara Lynch on board, the lifeboat headed immediately to the scene. The lake was calm with good visibility; winds were with south-westerly Force 1-2.

The lifeboat had the casualty vessel in sight at 11.24am. Using local knowledge and on-board navigation charts, the lifeboat made a safe approach to the casualty vessel.

An RNLI volunteer transferred across to ensure the passengers were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. The volunteer made a thorough inspection of the casualty vessel and, once satisfied it was not holed, reported back to the lifeboat.

Given the remote location and that there were children on board the cruiser, the lifeboat helm decided to assist the casualty vessel back out into safe water.

The lifeboat crew checked the drives and propeller on the cruiser and found them to be in good working order. With an RNLI volunteer remaining on board, the cruiser then made way under its own power to the closest safe harbour.

The lifeboat departed the scene at 11.52am and was back at station at 12.21pm

Christine O’Malley, lifeboat operations manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users to “plan your passage noting the navigation buoys along the route. Always carry a means of communication.”

Cyclists will ‘Lap the Lake’ for the third year running to raise funds for Lough Derg RNLI on Saturday 11 May.

With Lough Derg RNLI marking 20 years of lifeboat service on the lake in the same year that the charity that saves lives at sea celebrates its bicentenary, the 2024 fundraiser will be a doubly special occasion.

As with the 2023 event, cyclists may again choose between a 120km route or a shorter 65km one.

The longer route will take participants on a full circuit of Lough Derg, giving entrants the chance to cycle through three counties: Tipperary, Clare and Galway. The shorter route will take cyclists to just beyond Killaloe, to a turnaround point at the Twomilegate lakeside amenity park.

Whichever route riders chose, they will have the opportunity to delight in the outstanding beauty of the lake and the River Shannon.

Riders’ safety and well-being is also a priority, with first-aid providers, out-riders, marshals and bike maintenance stops along the routes, as well as comfort and refreshment stations.

“We were thrilled with the success of the previous two years’ Lap the Lake cycle,” said Laura Clarke, chair of the event committee. “We were blessed with fine weather so that cyclists were able to enjoy the most breathtaking scenery around the lake.

“2024 is a particularly special year for the RNLI as the charity marks 200 years of lifesaving work. This event, now open for registration, is about raising funds for our local lifeboat on Lough Derg, which celebrates 20 years of service.”

Event tickets are €65 per person for the full route and €50 for the shorter route. All funds raised will go to Lough Derg RNLI. To find out more and to book your place among the riders this year, visit the Eventbrite page HERE.

On Saturday 30 December, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch to investigate whether anyone was in trouble aboard a 20ft cruiser reported aground west of Garrykennedy Harbour.

At 3.30pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was southerly Force 5, gusting Force 7, with fair visibility but heavy squalls.

Eleven minutes later, the lifeboat located the casualty vessel midway between Garrykennedy Harbour and Parker’s Point.

The lifeboat navigated a safe passage to the vessel, which was grounded on rocks close to the shore. An RNLI volunteer went aboard the vessel to determine whether there was anyone on board and in need of assistance, but found the vessel was empty. The RNLI crew located the boat’s registration so that Valentia Coast Guard could make contact with the owner.

Given the location and the deteriorating weather conditions, the helm made the decision to make the vessel safe, deploy its anchor, secure its canopy and leave it at the location. The lifeboat helm informed Valentia Coast Guard of this decision.

Lifeboat helm Eleanor Hooker advises boat users “to check the mooring lines on your vessel to ensure they are secure, particularly in anticipation of poor weather conditions”.

Volunteers representing Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station were honoured with a scroll and a cheque for €500 at the annual Nenagh Municipal District Awards on Monday evening (20 November) in recognition of their volunteer work on Lough Derg.

The award, presented by Cllr John ‘Rocky’ McGrath, Cathaoirleach of the Nenagh Municipal District Tipperary Council Council, was in recognition of the volunteers “dedication and commitment to saving lives and their spirit of volunteerism in contributing of their time and efforts to enhance water safety on Lough Derg”.

The Lough Derg volunteers offered their grateful thanks to Rosemary Joyce, district administrator of Nenagh Municipal District and her team for their warm welcome and hospitality at the Civic Offices in Nenagh on Monday evening.

“Our heartiest congratulations too to the local communities, organisations and individuals who also received awards for their volunteer work,” they added,

Eleanor Hooker, helm and lifeboat press officer said it was a “tremendous honour for volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station to receive this award in recognition of the team’s lifesaving work and water safety programmes on Lough Derg”.

A community page for Mountshannon is looking to find a good home for an impressive model boat found on Lough Derg over the summer.

As of Monday afternoon (20 November) no one had yet come forward to claim the model of a period battleship.

The person who found it is now looking to rehome it, and all enquiries can be directed to the Facebook page HERE.

Squib National Champions Gordon Patterson and Ross Nolan from Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough are among 33 class entries that will compete this weekend at Lough Derg Yacht Club's Freshwater Keelboat Regatta in County Tipperary.

Other entries include six Dragons, eight Flying Fifteens and eight SB20s.

The local Squib fleet at LDYC and at neighbouring Iniscealthra Sailing Club (ICS) in Mountshannon, has grown to approximately forty boats.

Yacht racing on Ireland's inland waters is thriving, with clubs holding regular events on Lough Derg throughout September.

Garykennedy Sailing Club and Iniscealtra Sailing Club have a friendly relationship and often host events together, allowing committee members to have time off from constantly organising events every weekend. This smaller arrangement is worth considering for clubs in other areas where they are growing throughout the island.

Dan O'Connell, a club Sailing Secretary, said, "We are getting regular fleets of 15-20 boats on Saturday afternoons." "This keeps Sundays free for family activities both on and off the water", he added.

A visit to Garykennedy last weekend by Afloat showed the fleet finishing up after the Ciss Ryan Cup race. Although it was windy on the west coast, the sailors' relaxed faces were coming ashore after a shortened course of an hour and a half. Some commented that the winds were too light for spinnakers.

Garykennedy S.C. has two warm clubhouses overlooking the lake, offering full bar service and excellent food in the name of Ryans and Larkins Hosptilaries. By 4 pm, the club was bustling both inside and outside in pleasant sunshine, with members in their dry sailing gear while the weather was approaching. A buffet was in full swing, provided by the Ryan family, keeping the members together for the presentation of prizes.

The winning crew on "Celtic Charisma", a Kelt 29, accepting the Ciss Ryan Cup from Roy and Denise Breen (from L-R) Tadgh Murphy Commodore, Nigel and Sue Smithwick, with their son and grandchildren Neil and Alison  McCormack and young Oscar and Luca McCormack Photo: Patricia George

Pierce Purcell of Galway Bay S.C. visited to keep an eye on the west's inland sailing and to commend both Garykennedy and the Mountshannon Clubs on their running of the recent Gortmore Bell Race and weekend activity.

RNLI cheque

Philip Despard Iniscealtra Sailing Club, Ger Murphy ISC sailing Captain, Dr John Killeen, Irish Trustee RNLI, Niamh McCutcheon RNLI and LDYC, Pierce Purcell Galway, and Tadgh Murphy, Commodore of Garykennedy SC and Peter O'Callaghan, ISC Photo: Patricia George

John Killeen, Irish Trustee RNLI, and Niamh McCutcheon of Lough Derg RNLI were there to receive a cheque worth €1,600 raised by members of both clubs.

Dr Killeen expressed his gratitude on behalf of RNLI to the sailors for their contribution and praised the volunteers with crews on call throughout the year. He also informed the gathering that the RNLI would be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2024.

Pat Lawless presentation

Pat Lawless, a Golden Globe sailor, was presented with life membership of Garykennedy to a standing ovation.

Golden Globe sailor Pat Lawless with Brendan O’Connor, Garykennedy Sailing Club Vice Commodore on his boat Vamoose competing in the Ciss Ryan trophy 

He had earlier given a most entertaining talk on his Golden Globe race entry. One could feel his relaxed passion in the room as he gave encouragement to the gathering to enter the race. Being a former West Coast fisherman, nothing seemed to daunt him, as he shared that he would go below to read books or cook for some hours, sleeping only for 20 minutes at a time.

He took pride in his boat and the accuracy of his navigation, not to mention the wonderful support of his sponsor Green Rebel, his family, and friends. Pat is now saving for the next Golden Globe race in 2026.

Garykennedy Sailing Club Master of Ceremonies, Brendan O'Connor, with Commodore Tadgh Murphy presenting Golden Globe sailor Pat Lawless with life membership of Garykennedy SC Photo: Patricia George

A local Limerick sailing team has emerged victorious in the 43rd annual Gortmore Bell Race, held on September 9th on Lough Derg.

The race is considered the longest inland sailing race in Ireland and attracted 18 entries from various sailing clubs throughout the region.

The race was closely contested, with the GoJoe team aboard the J80 racing yacht, ultimately winning the coveted trophy.

Iniscealtra Sailing Club's Gortmore Bell Race

The trophy win was a tribute to the memory of Joseph (Joe) Crowley, a friend to all aboard, with the team dedicating their win to him after his passing.

Despite light winds, the race lasted over six hours on a shortened course, with only 56 seconds separating the first and second-place teams, with Rayon De Lunec runner-up and Dexterity third.

The Iniscealtra Sailing Club at Mountshannon organised the Gortmore Bell race, which has become a highlight of the inland Irish sailing calendar. 

It’s been a busy and productive year to date for volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI, with crew passing out on training assessments and new volunteers joining the team — as well as the hugely successful fundraising Lap the Lake charity cycle organised by the Lough Derg RNLI fundraising committee.

RNLI volunteers maintain their proficiency in their lifesaving work with competence-based training modules. Volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI train twice weekly on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Recently, Oisín Higgins was successful in his crew pass-out assessments with RNLI assessor/trainer Seán Ginnelly, while Dom Sharkey has returned as an RNLI helm at the lifeboat station and was one of the team afloat for Oisín’s assessment.

Seán also assessed and passed Paraic Slattery out on his preliminary shore modules so that he can now train afloat on the lifeboat.

Lifeboat operations manager Christine O’Malley presenting Oisín Higgins with his pager

Paraic is a captain with the Irish Coast Guard’s Shannon-based helicopter Rescue 115 and has delivered an informative presentation on his role as a rescue pilot to the station team, including a discussion on the combined operations between RNLI lifeboats and the coastguard. His talk reaffirmed the required skill, commitment and training by all involved within the rescue services.

Another new recruit is Triona Breen, who has been passed out on her preliminary modules that permit her now to train with her fellow volunteers on the water.

Christine O’Malley, lifeboat operations manager at Lough Derg RNLI said: “We are hugely grateful to Seán as assessor/trainer whose teaching skills and enthusiasm have a positive impact on all volunteers at the station. Thanks too to Joe O’Donoghue, crew at Lough Derg RNLI who provided classes, resources and his valuable time to help Paraic and Triona with their studies.

“We are pleased to see the camaraderie and teamwork as established crew and helms support their fellow volunteers with their training and assessments. It means our crew are ready for whatever scenarios they meet on the water.”

Volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI welcomed Lisa Hollingum, their new area lifesaving manger (ALM), on her visit to the station to meet the crew and Operations Team. As ALM, Lisa’s role is to lead and support a team of staff and volunteers, and actively manage the safe and effective delivery of the RNLI’s lifesaving services.

Seán Ginnelly with trainee crew Triona Breen | Credit: RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Earlier this year, volunteers from Lough Derg RNLI travelled to the Irish Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre on a pre-arranged visit. Members of the station also took the opportunity to visit Valentia RNLI and to see around the all-weather lifeboat and station.

Crew and members of Lough Derg RNLI operations team met watch officers Brian Shiels, John Geoghegan and Liam Jenkinson, who showed the crew round the centre and explained their important role maintaining a listening watch on marine distress frequencies.

Watch officers also produce and broadcast Radio Navigational Warnings and notify mariners of navigational hazards. They task and coordinate search and rescue missions with declared search-and-rescue (SAR) assets such as RNLI lifeboats, Sikorsky helicopters and the coastguard’s volunteer land and water units. The rescue coordination centres process calls that come from members of the public through the 112/999 emergency call system.

“It was an important visit that forged even closer ties with our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard,” Christine said. “Members of the station also took the opportunity to visit Valentia RNLI and were given a warm welcome.”