Two RNLI volunteer lifeboat coxswains have bid an emotional farewell to their stations in Wexford and West Cork after retiring with almost a century of lifesaving behind them. The RNLI paid tribute to the incredible service of the two men as National Volunteer Week begins in Ireland and the charity relies on volunteers to continue its lifesaving work, as it has done for over 200 years.
Kilmore Quay RNLI celebrated the retirement of Eugene Keogh who has been a volunteer at the Wexford station for over 48 years with over 20 years as coxswain. Eugene did his last exercise on Saturday, which was also his birthday. He began volunteering with the RNLI when he was just 18 years old alongside his grandfather, father and uncles and he retired surrounded by his family and friends.
Commenting about his time with the RNLI, he said: ‘As soon as I was old enough to help, I was in it. From a young age, we would help on shore and as soon as I turned 18, I was on the lifeboat.’ When asked if he had any advice for our volunteers, he added ‘Keep on doing it. You will never be sorry for doing it.’
During his time as coxswain, Eugene was presented with a Bronze Medal for Gallantry for his role in a rescue in 2020, where Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East and Rosslare Harbour crews saved nine lives and prevented a large cargo vessel from hitting rocks at Hook Head.
Just down the coast, another remarkable volunteer journey came to a close.
Courtmacsherry bid their farewell to Volunteer Coxswain Mark Gannon, after he gave a magnificent 50 years of service to the RNLI.
Mark began his journey as a volunteer in 1975 when he had his first training session on the lifeboat. His first callout was in 1976 where the lifeboat was tasked to an Angling boat on fire with two people on board.
Commenting on his time with the RNLI, Mark said: ‘It has been memorable and even now as I step down it’s great to see how far the station has come after all these years too. People are eager to join. You get 12 people showing up for a callout and I’d like to think I had some part to play in that.’
After Mark’s final callout as coxswain, the crew took their annual trip to the wreck site of the cruise ship “Lusitania” where they laid a wreath and said a prayer for those that were lost at sea.
The RNLI’s lifesaving work relies on the dedication, generosity, and time of volunteers. In 2024 alone, RNLI lifeboats across the island of Ireland, launched over 881 times bringing 1,007 people to safety – a testament to the dedication of our volunteers.
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