The volunteers and crew of Lough Ree RNLI gathered at the weekend to express their gratitude to outgoing volunteer Lifeboat Manager Kevin Ganly who completed his tenure last Friday.
The Coosan native, who has close family ties to Inchturk Island on Lough Ree, co-ordinated the opening of the new lifeboat station at Coosan Point and brought a new cohort of volunteers and crew on board during his time in charge.
At a special event in The Olive Bar, Athlone, Lough Ree RNLI founding member Damien Delaney presented a special plaque to Kevin to mark his contribution to the charity.
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea and on inland waters. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. Though one of the youngest RNLI lifeboat stations in the country, Lough Ree RNLI is also one of the busiest, responding to upwards of 40 calls for assistance every year. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives, marking its milestone 200th year in 2024.
Outgoing Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Ganly said he was “honoured to have the opportunity to work with volunteers, neighbours and friends and the charity. It is terrific to see so many volunteers giving of their time and skills to keep the public safe on the waters of Lough Ree and the River Shannon”.
This coming Thursday night (6th March) Lough Ree RNLI hosts its annual Table Quiz in The Bounty at Buccaneers RFC, Athlone. Tables of four cost €40 and the quiz begins at 8pm. This event was postponed due to inclement weather earlier in the year and public support for the fundraiser would be most welcome.
