THE community gathered in Courtmacsherry at the weekend to celebrate 200 years of lifesaving service by the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat.
The gala banquet, held under a marquee on the lawns of the Courtmacsherry Hotel, was the pinnacle of a year-long programme of bicentenary events and was a fitting tribute to the generations of volunteer crews who have launched in all weathers to protect lives at sea since 1825.
The event was sold out well in advance and was exceptionally well attended, creating a wonderful atmosphere of pride, gratitude and celebration.
Guests enjoyed an evening of dining, music and camaraderie as the community came together to honour the lifeboat’s extraordinary legacy.
Billy Adams, owner of The Courtmacsherry Hotel, said: ‘It was a huge honour for us to play a central role in these historic commemorations. The lifeboat is at the heart of our community and its crews have shown incredible bravery and selflessness over two centuries. To be able to support and celebrate their legacy in such a memorable way is something we are truly proud of.’
The bicentenary year was filled with a diverse programme of events, including parades, exhibitions, historical talks, open days, cultural performances and commemorations.
Highlights included the St Patrick’s Day sea and street parades featuring the Shannon Class Lifeboat Val Adnams and a full-scale replica of the first lifeboat, The Plenty, as well as the June Bank Holiday Weekend of events culminating in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
Saturday’s banquet brought this remarkable year to a close, ensuring that the story of courage, dedication and community spirit shown by Courtmacsherry’s lifeboat crews across two centuries was celebrated in the most fitting way possible.
As the RNLI’s oldest station in Ireland, Courtmacsherry Lifeboat has launched on nearly 1,000 call-outs since its foundation. Its proud legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
https://www.southernstar.ie/life/marking-200-life-saving-years-in-courtmacsherry-4341713
