The RNLI held its Annual Presentation of Awards at the Guinness Storehouse on Friday (17 June 2016) where the charity presented 56 individual awards to volunteers from across the country. Five of the awardees were from Dublin North. However the ceremony was tinged with sadness for Howth RNLI representatives as one of the recipients, Ms Rosemary O’Neill from Howth RNLI, had passed away a few days before she was due to receive her Gold Badge for fundraising. Howth RNLI Lifeboat Management Group Chairman Russell Rafter accepted the award on her behalf to warm applause from the crowd.
The awardees were honoured for their significant contribution to the RNLI in Ireland and years of dedicated and committed service to the charity. Many awardees were fundraising volunteers, recognised for years of service to the charity, while others were lifeboat crew who collected their long-service badges after many years on the lifeboat.
Guest of honour at the ceremony was outgoing RNLI Chairman Charles Hunter-Pease who will step down later this year after a successful term as Chairman of the Institution.
Speaking to the awardees and their friends and family during the ceremony, Charles Hunter-Pease commented; ‘To everyone receiving an award, whether their service has been at sea or ashore, please wear it with pride. It is the mark of someone very special, selflessly dedicated to the lives of others.’
‘Every day, all around our coastline, people come together to do something incredible for someone they’ve probably never met. Lifeboat crews put to sea not knowing what situation they will face. It also takes determination to raise funds. It’s a determination that sees people raise astonishing sums to keep our service running, and that is no small feat, it requires endless talent, imagination and energy.’
Mr. David Delamer Chairperson of the RNLI Council in Ireland formally opened the proceeded and who welcomed the volunteers and their families to the ceremony. The citations for each awardee were read by Emma Gibson RNLI Area Manager and Owen Medland RNLI Divisional Operations Manager for Ireland central.
The Dublin North awardees citations were as follows:
Ms Rosemary O'Neill’s Gold Badge was collected by Howth RNLI Lifeboat Management Group Chairman Russell Rafter collecting. Sadly Rosemary had passed away suddenly a few days before the awards ceremony. She was an active and valued volunteer, who at the age of 89 served the RNLI as Box Secretary in Malahide. Rosemary's roles during her 22 years volunteering with the Howth branch included Branch Secretary and Souvenir Secretary. The branch will deeply miss Rosemary. Her efficiency and enthusiasm, which she shared with all involved at Howth, were an enormous benefit to the charity.
Mr John Massey from Howth RNLI received a Gold Badge. John was lifeboat crew before becoming a Deputy Launching Authority at Howth Lifeboat station. John had accrued 47 years of service to the RNLI when he retired in 2015. He was described by the former Lifeboat Operations Manager as his ‘right hand man.’
Mrs Rose Michael received a Bar to Gold Badge. Rose has a lifetime of fundraising for the RNLI and is Chairperson of Howth RNLI Branch. The continued success of this fundraising branch is largely down to Rose’s leadership and her ongoing hard work which is supported by a dedicated group of volunteers. Rose looks for every opportunity and builds on events each year. She engages with fundraisers and is a steadfast and dependable volunteer.
Mr Ian Sheridan from Howth Station Branch was awarded his Long Service Badge. Ian has RNLI running through his veins and is the face of lifeboating in his role as Howth Station Mechanic and Deputy 2nd Coxswain at Howth’s busy lifeboat station. Having previously served as a volunteer in Howth, Ian served ten years as Coxswain of Ballycotton lifeboat, before coming home and makes himself available to support all station activities and events. With four young children and supporting Ian’s commitment to the RNLI, Ian’s wife Lyn is equally deserving of and sharing in this award.
(The evening was extra special for Ian as he was the recipient of a Father’s Day makeover on TV3’s Ireland AM. He was nominated by his family.)
Mr Conor Walsh from Skerries Station Branch also received a Long Service Badge. Conor has served Skerries RNLI since its formation and currently is one of the most experienced Helms at the lifeboat station. He also works for the RNLI as Divisional Maintenance Manager.
Awardees were present from across Ireland representing lifeboat stations and branches in Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Mayo, Wexford, Kerry, Donegal, Clare, Limerick and Athlone.
One of the highest honours of the evening went to Ian Walsh who recently retired as Lifeboat Operations Manager with Helvick Head RNLI. During the evening, along with the Honorary Lifeboat Governorship award, there were 31 Gold Badges, 12 Bar to Gold Badges, one Certificate of Thanks and 12 Long Service Badges presented by the Chairman.
