Commercial fishing and seafaring are challenging occupations. Although creature comforts have improved, forecasting is much better, and rescue services are more proficient, accidents still occur. This Christmas blog looks at a different era, two very different...
Duncannon Lifeboat Rescues 1869-1886
Last month, we examined the foundation of the Duncannon Lifeboat station in 1869. This month, we will examine the station's service record and some of the shouts that the lifeboat, Richard and Anne Warner (sometimes the Warner was unused ), completed. We will also...
The foundation of the Duncannon Lifeboat Station
1869 was an important date in the history of Waterford Harbour. In September of that year, a new lifeboat was placed at Duncannon, Co Wexford on the eastern shore of the harbour. Although it was only in place for 17 years and launched 8 times it saved 43 lives...
Lifeboats that have served at Dunmore East 1884-present
As part of the 2024 Mayday Mile fundraising efforts for the RNLI Team Dunmore East has been working away to raise donations towards this vital cause in a coastal community. This year my wife Deena and I have contributed by walking at least a mile a day for the month...
Tides and Tales Mayday Mile 2024
May marks our annual fundraiser for the local RNLI station that we depend on for so much- Dunmore East RNLI. This is our 4th year to participate and this time round we plan to do at least a mile a day for the month of May - 31 miles. My wife Deena and I will travel...
Mile a day for the month of May – Mayday Mile 2024
May marks our annual fundraiser for the local RNLI station that we depend on for so much- Dunmore East RNLI. This is our 4th year to participate and this time round we plan to do at least a mile a day for the month of May. My wife Deena and I will travel about the...
Fate of the sailing barque Etta
On a wild windy winter night in December 1888, the Belfast Barque Etta, rounded Hook Head in search of shelter, the lifeboat was signaled, but the ship was driven onto the rocks of Creaden Bay before the lifeboat could reach the vessel. Miraculously all but one were...
How Two Brave Brownstown Fishermen Changed the Course of Lifesaving in Tramore Bay
To conclude our Mayday Mile coverage on the blog this year David Carroll shares a fascinating insight into the ultimate sacrifice of two fishermen and how it provoked the community to campaign for a lifeboat station. Remember the Mayday mile runs until the end of the...
Carrick to Cheekpoint by traditional punt -Mayday Mile 2023
To support our local lifeboat station at Dunmore East my brother Robert and I rowed the river Suir this year - an estimated 25 miles. If you would like to support our efforts here's the link to make a financial contribution. All donations go to the RNLI. When I wrote...
Naming the new Dunmore East Lifeboat
Although Sunday 26th June dawned wet and breezy, as the morning wore on the cloud started to lift and by early afternoon it was a beautiful sunny summer day, but with a strong SW breeze. As Deena and I drove towards Dunmore East Geoff Harris broadcast from the...
Falskirt Rock
My first introduction to Falskirt Rock was in the Spring of 1984 fishing on the decked motor boat Reaper with Jim Dips Doherty and his neighbour Denis Doherty. Denis pointed it out to me as we steamed away west from Dunmore East towards Tramore Bay with a deck...
Our Mayday Mile event in photos 2022
We completed our Mayday Mile event - Cheekpoint to Dunmore by Cliff and Shore - in aid of our local RNLI station at Dunmore East on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022. Although the day dawned overcast and damp by 11 am the cloud was lifting and the walk proceeded in a fresh SW...
Dunmore East 1889: Prince George of Wales and the Royal Navy have a ’jolly time’ ashore.
As part of the RNLI Mayday Mile fundraiser, author David Carroll returns this week with another fascinating insight into the history of the Dunmore East RNLI. You can donate to the Dunmore East Mayday mile page here. David is the author of numerous guest blogs on this...
Midnight Mercy Mission – Dunmore East Lifeboat 1953
As part of the RNLI Mayday Mile, this year author David Carroll has agreed to join our team to help promote and fundraise for our local station at Dunmore East. Our 22km walk takes place on Sunday 22nd and over May we will have a number of lifeboat-related blogs. You...
Mayday Mile 2022 in aid of RNLI Dunmore East
The Mayday Mile is a major fundraising initiative of the RNLI. 150 people drown in UK and Irish waters every year. And this summer, thousands of people will get into danger by the water. Ordinary people enjoying days out with family or friends. It happens so easily,...
Hook Lighthouse gets a makeover
Last month we explored the loss of the American Sailing Ship Columbus, lost on the Hook Peninsula in 1852. The ship was wrecked on the jagged rocks, thanks in no small part to the mistaken belief that the Hook Head lighthouse was actually Tuskar Lighthouse, about...
Dauntless Courage – public lecture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExWZP805WNg The lecture was recorded and is available to view here Our good friend and regular guest contributor, David Carroll will do a public zoom lecture on the History of the Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboats, crews, and the maritime...
Dunmore East RNLI receives €31,050 from sales of the book ‘Dauntless Courage’
I wanted to acknowledge this wonderful achievement by a blog regular, David Carroll. David wrote his first guest blog for us in January 2017 and has been a firm favourite since. In that story, Memories of a Harbour Boy, David recalled growing up in Dunmore East...
A near tragedy off Hook – loss of the Mona II
I'm indebted to David Carroll for this On This Day contribution to the blog today August 19th 2021. In it, David, who has written several guest features, explores the near-tragedy that occurred this day in 1988. Thankfully the keen eyes of a child playing at Dunmore...
RNLI Mayday Mile Fundraiser – reschedule due to weather; Sunday May 30th 2021
Due to the poor weather of late, I have decided to reschedule my fundraising walk to Sunday 30th May. Its disappointing after all the support and the meet ups I had planned, but I am hopeful that the following week will be just as good. Many thanks for all the...
Captain Albert Bestic remembered – surviving Lusitania
I would like to thank David Carroll for this guest post on Captain Albert Bestic who served aboard the RMS Lusitania which was torpedoed on this day, May 7th 1915. Third Officer Bestic was one of those that survived. Over now to David for his account. Growing up in...
A heart-rending finale. The loss of 5 Dunmore East Coastguards.
On a blustery Thursday afternoon, January 27th 1869, five Coastguard men said goodbye to their wives and children before leaving their homes in Dunmore East and traveling to Waterford city. The purpose was to collect a new lifeboat to be used at their station on...
Ardmore’s Fr O’Shea to the Rescue
A guest blog by David Carroll In 2024, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will be celebrating two hundred years of saving lives of sea. The Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck was founded in London on March 4th, 1824 by Sir...
Dauntless Courage – Book Review
The arrival of Dauntless Courage, Celebrating the History of the RNLI Lifeboats, their crews and the Maritime Heritage of the Dunmore East Community was greeted with a wave of conflicting emotions this week. Joy at seeing the book finally in print, tears of relief...
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