Special fundraiser in Portsalon on Saturday to mark 200 years of RNLI Lifeboats


A NUMBER of fundraising events are taking place throughout the county this month to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI Lifeboats. Kicking things off this Saturday, August 10, Michael Alcorn and Seamus Martin, who were rescued by Lough Swilly Lifeboat crew a few weeks ago, are hosting an all-day fundraising event in Portsalon. The fun starts […]


Arranmore RNLI assisted yacht with engine trouble


The Arranmore RNLI volunteer crew were asked by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist an 11 meter yacht with two crew on board, two miles off Arranmore yesterday evening just  after 5pm. On arrival at the stricken yacht, which had developed engine trouble and following assessment by the lifeboat crew a tow was established and […]


Donegal guests attend RNLI garden party at Buckingham Palace


Princess Anne and the Duke of Kent hosted a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last week  for volunteers from all over the UK and Ireland in recognition of the RNLI celebrating its  200 year anniversary.  Among the invited guests were volunteers from Donegal, including Susan Shields and Pete McBride from Downings who are pictured with […]


RNLI celebration at Westminster Abbey


A special service to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI which was founded in 1824 was held in Westminster Abbey, London on Monday. The service was conducted by the Very Reverend David Hoyle KVCO, MBE Dead of Westminster and the congregation was made up of representatives from volunteer lifeboat officers, crew, fundraisers and volunteers […]


RNLI bring fishing crew to safety after 26-hour rescue


Lifeboat crew from Arranmore RNLI were involved in a 26-hour rescue mission to bring five people onboard a fishing vessel to safety. The vessel got into difficulty 48 miles off Arranmore on Sunday evening. After receiving the emergency call at 10.50pm on Sunday evening the crew finally got to their beds at 1.20am on Tuesday […]


Four people airlifted from fishing boat off Donegal


Four people on board a fishing boat which got into difficulties off the coast of Donegal this morning have been airlifted and brought to safety at Donegal Airport. A rescue operation involving members of the coast guard got underway early this morning after Malin Head Coast Guard was alerted to the incident at around 6am. […]


Sole survivor of Buncrana Pier tragedy visits her friends in Lough Swilly RNLI


THE sole survivor of the Buncrana pier tragedy almost eight years ago, which claimed five lives of her family, has presented a cheque to her friends at Lough Swilly RNLI. Little Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty was just four months old when she was rescued from the waters of Lough Swilly on March 20, 2016 after her family’s car […]


Three call-outs for Arranmore RNLI in busy week


It’s been a busy start to the new year for the Arranmore RNLI all weather lifeboat crew who had three call-outs in the first days of 2024. All three calls sought assistance for medical evacuations from the island.  The first call out was on Tuesday morning, January  2 at 11.09am to transfer a patient to […]


Ram sale raises funds for RNLI


Lough Swilly RNLI has been presented with €3,000 which was raised from the sale of a ram at the Stranorlar and Ballybofey Livestock Mart’s 60th anniversary event. Renie and Norman Wilson have presented the proceeds of the sale to John McCarter, Lough Swilly RNLI to support the group’s life-saving work. Also included in this photograph […]