News Archive

St Annes Primary School pupils visit Station - January 2013

Pupils from St Annes Primary School in Donaghadee recently visited the station and were shown around
by crewmembers and volunteers. The boys were completing a project on the Princess Victoria
and the RNLI S.O.S. day. Headmaster David Hennessy said the boys had been excited about the visit and had gained lots of useful infomation for their project.

Geordie and his Skating Angels - January 2013

On Donaghadee crewmember Geordie Hackworth is organising a sponsored roller skate from Belfast to Donaghadee in June.

He has persuaded these lovely ladies to join him and they have just started training for the big day.

Rory’s shirt raises money for lifeboat - 6th January 2013

On one of his recent trips back home, Rory McILroy signed a Ryder Cup golf shirt in aid of Donaghadee RNLI. Mary Miller, a keen golfer and lifeboat fundraiser, got Rory to sign the shirt on one of his trips home and also got Michael Bannon, Rory’s coach, to provide a letter of authenticity.
In conjunction with Nevada Bob’s of Bangor she had the shirt framed and sold raffle tickets and raised £330.The lucky winner was Paul Melville from Donaghadee. Paul said he was a better snooker player than a golfer but was delighted with the shirt and the opportunity of supporting his local lifeboat.

Belfast band Nine Lies play special acoustic gig for RNLI volunteers at lifeboat station as they push for Christmas number one - 16th December 2012

Northern Ireland band Nine Lies unplugged their electric guitars and stripped back their hard rock sound to play a special intimate acoustic gig at Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat station this weekend.  The show was arranged by the band to say thank you to the lifeboat volunteers who have supported the bands efforts to get a Christmas number one with their single ‘Tragedy’. 

The song has been released to raise funds and awareness of the work of the RNLI, the charity that exists to save lives at sea and on inland waters and which operates nine lifeboat stations and ten lifeguarded beaches in Northern Ireland.

The band played a forty minute set which showcased some of their original material and included a Christmas favourite by Slade. Lifeboat crew and long standing fundraisers packed into the station for the impromptu concert and clapped along with the lads. They ended their set with ‘Tragedy’, the song penned for the RNLI, which brought the house down. 

Speaking after the gig, Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara said, “We were delighted to host the band and to hear the song played live that has been released to raise funds for the charity.  I hope people get behind it and know that when they are buying it they are supporting a local and talented group and also raising funds to keep our lifeboats at sea and the crews fully trained and equipped.”

Nine Lies band lead singer Stevie Madden said, “We really enjoyed playing in front of Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat crew and fundraisers.  It was one of our more unusual gigs and one we won’t forget in a hurry.  We had fun arranging the tracks for an acoustic set as they are normally played with electric guitars and drums but we wanted to strip them back and play them for the people who make the RNLI the great charity it is.”

The single is available from all major online retailers and is comprised of the specially written track ‘Tragedy’ and a video of the song.  The band has been busy generating interest in the song and hope that people who are familiar with the work of the charity and the music of Nine Lies will support it.  

Father Christmas arriving in Donaghadee in Safe Hands - 1st December 2012

Hundreds of very excited children waited in the cold
last Friday on the harbourside to welcome
Father Christmas as he arrived on the lifeboat
just in time to start the Christmas Festivities.

World No 1 Golfer Rory supporting local RNLI - 15th November 2012

Rory McIlroy the world number One golfer is supporting Donaghadee  lifeboat. On one of his recent trips back home Rory signed a Ryder cup golf shirt for local golfer Mary Miller who happens to be a fundraiser for the local lifeboat.

Mary thought it would be a great opportunity to raise funds for the lifeboat and in conjunction with Nevada Bob’s of Bangor has had the shirt framed and is selling ballot tickets at £3 through Nevada Bob’s at their Balloo branch in Bangor and at the Lifeboat shop and Dunne’s Footwear in Donaghadee.

John Sheppard, Nevada Bob’s manager said they were supporters of the  Lifeboat golf day at Donaghadee every year and he  was delighted to be able to help the RNLI because it is  such a worthwhile charity.

RNLI lifeboat crews involved in Northern Ireland’s largest live maritime exercise on Belfast Lough - 23rd September 2012

RNLI lifeboats and crew from six stations were today involved in the largest live maritime exercise to take place in Northern Ireland.

All-weather lifeboats from Donaghadee, Larne and the inshore lifeboat from Bangor took part in Exercise Diamond, a large-scale operation within Belfast Lough which tested the response of multiple search, rescue and recovery agencies to a major maritime incident. Volunteer crewmembers from Red Bay and Portaferry RNLI were also involved along with an all-weather lifeboat from Portpatrick RNLI in Scotland.

The drama from the planned scenario unfolded early this morning with a ‘collision’, caused by an electrical fault, between the passenger vessel, MV Lough Explorer which had 120 people on board and a commercial roll on roll off ferry, which had 50 passengers and 23 crew onboard.

Damage was caused to the bow of the Lough Explorer and the hull of the ferry. The Lough Explorer was sinking rapidly and the master of the ship had broadcast a mayday message and gave an order to abandon the vessel.

The master of the ferry then reported that he could see liferafts from the Lough Explorer and people in the water. His own vessel had begun to list and three trailers on the deck had rolled over, trapping two people. Another trailer had caught fire. The master requested help with fire fighting, to free the trapped people and to evacuate 50 people from the vessel. A major incident was declared.

Belfast Coastguard coordinated the air and sea search and rescue operation which saw RNLI lifeboats search for some 100 people - simulated by numbered oranges - in the water following the sinking of the Lough Explorer.

Gareth Morrison, RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector Ireland, was involved in the operational planning of the exercise. Speaking after the event he said: ‘I firmly believed that Exercise Diamond was an excellent concept. The objective of the scenario was to test the joint search and rescue response, command, coordination, communications and interoperability between organisations in the event of a major maritime incident within Northern Ireland waters.  Today’s exercise has proven to be a superb training tool for the RNLI allowing us to test our resources while enhancing our multi agency work. Having the opportunity to test our response with the various other search and rescue agencies will help us ensure a swift and appropriate response should a major maritime incident occur.’

Philip McNamara, Coxswain of Donaghadee RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat which acted as the on scene co-ordinator for the sea search, said the exercise was a useful training tool: ‘As volunteer crewmembers we go on exercise every week to enhance our skills and test our incident plans in preparation for a real time emergency. Training is essential to the work we do in saving lives at sea with the skills required ranging from navigation to search and rescue, from being able to repair a lifeboat engine at sea to resuscitating someone who has stopped breathing.  To be able to train alongside multiple search and rescue organisations and demonstrate the work we do on such a large scale will prove invaluable should the need arise for us to work together in a similar real life situation in the future’.

RNLI Golf Day goes with a swing - 2nd Sept 2012

A wet day at Donaghadee Golf Club did not stop golfers coming out to support their local lifeboat. More than eighty golfers braved the conditions to enjoy a day’s golf with refreshment after in the clubhouse. They succeeded in raising £1600 for the lifeboat. The golf course was in fine condition considering all the recent rain. Visitors on the day were very complimentary on the changes that have taken place over the last couple of years. There was great concern that a couple of crew members of the lifeboat were themselves in need of rescuing as darkness fell but they eventually found the 19th.

Winner of the men’s competition was Steve McMurtry with 38 points followed by David Verner and Robin Crothers.The ladies winner was Julie Kerr with 31 points followed by Carol Davison and Eleanor Alcock. Best gross was won by Phil Posnett.

Lifeboat press officer Peter Alcock said everyone had a great day and thanked sponsor Roy Butler of Ballywhisken Caravan park for his support and all at the club for their hospitality.

Fire Brigade smoke Lifeboat in festival fun' - 4th August 2012

By Clarke Crilly
 
It was their festival, their moment, their time. A day focused around the work ‘they’ do in their local community; the fearless work of their volunteers in their role in preventing the loss of lives at sea.
That was the script anyway. Unfortunately the good folk of the Fire Brigade took little heed; becoming local villains for the day with a pedestrian paddle over the finish line ahead of their inaugural hosts to kick off a day of celebrations in the sun soaked recluse of Donaghadee.

Sun soaked I hear you say? Sounds like a bit of joke doesn’t it considering the abysmal weather of late? The forecast did not predict sunshine but then again the hundreds of people lining the harbour wall to watch the drama unfold did not predict the crew of the ‘Tivoli Bar’ to come dressed as Nuns. A blessing in itself some might say. Anything is possible in Donaghadee. 

Eton Dorney, the home of British Olympic Rowing has been the setting for golden moments over the past few weeks. Moments that will live with folk for the rest of their lives, moments of spine tingling drama amongst the Olympia elite.

This was not the Olympic elite assembling on the shores of Donaghadee however, but the drama was very real!
Ready! Steady! Go. A command to signal the start of the battle of the waters, a battle for local bragging rights. A command that also fell on deaf ears as the crews jumped the gun and set off on their quest for glory, eating up the water before them with every stride only to be reluctantly sent back towards the start line by the cry of ‘ Excuse me! We haven’t started yet!’ a witty spectator replying, ‘Oh yes they have’ as everybody got into festival mood.

The false start did little to disrupt the focus of the crew representing the Fire Brigade. Even they wouldn’t have expected to have got it this easy taking into account their hosts knowledge of local waters. But revenge would be sweet, a blistering start from the blocks ensuring a comfortable victory over the Lifeboat Crew as brawn overcame brains on local waters.

A short time later ‘Team GN’, representing Ireland’s oldest pub Grace Neill’s paddled their way over the finish line much to the rapturous acclaim of the crowd who appreciated the valiant effort of the depleted craft who adopted the ‘underdog’ title after navigating their route with only four volunteers. 

Representatives from the Rotary Club, H.M Coastguard and those characters ‘Nuns on the Run’ soon found themselves back on safer terrain too as the jubilant crowd cheered them home. Everybody was a winner here.
Emily Matthews, a Bangor woman who had made the short trip to Donaghadee for the day with her young daugther told the Spectator, ' It's lovely to see the people of Donaghadee uniting in a day of family fun to show their support for their local Lifeboat. I come every year and must say the amount of people in Donaghadee today enjoying themselves is proud testament to how much the charitable organisation is respected in their local patch'. 

A short walk from the slipway to the harbour- front provided visitors with something a little different. A vast selection of stalls, food outlets and fairground rides ensuring that every taste was catered for as Donaghadee united to celebrate the work of 'their' local Lifeboat surrounded by friends in basking sunshine. 

A voluntary organisation, the RNLI relies on members of the public giving up their time to help raise funds to keep the proud institution afloat. One of those valued members was Liz McNeill, the passionate fundraiser and local Donaghadee resident taking a few minutes from her busy afternoon to thank the generosity of the people who spared their loose change in aid of the Lifeboat. She said, ' The turnout this afternoon has been exceptional and as a Committee Member of the Lifeboat I would like to thank everybody for their generosity this afternoon. She added, ' It's lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves in 'our wee town' 
'Velvet Art', a local business displaying a wide selection of cartoon charactures that have graced our screens down the years was proving a hit with local children on the waterfront with excitement etched all over their little faces at the thought of colouring in their fictional heroes. The marketing ploy wasn't half bad either with the charming owner adding a touch of comedy to the afternoon by telling customers, ' They're so good I gave the missus a dozen of them several years ago and I haven't heard from her since'. A slice of light- hearted banter that summed up the collective atmosphere in Donaghadee last Saturday. 

Another local resident displaying his artistic flare was Andrew Leishman. The Donaghadee artist taking great pride in showcasing his vast array of landscape interpretations and abstract works to the thousands of people on the harbourside. He told the Spectator, ' It is a privelege to come out today and be part of the Lifeboat Festival. I am very proud to be afforded the opportunity to showcase my artistic work in my hometown and must say the feedback I have been receiving has been extremely positive.He added, ' It's great to see the Lifeboat getting the recognition it deserves with thousands of people coming out to show their support'. 
The Lifeboat was also open for visitors to hop aboard; many of them waiting patiently with their excitable children to catch a glimpse of the interior craft that has battled the treachorous and at times unforgiving waters for decades. 

Adjacent to the Lifeboat large crowds had gathered to watch the afternoons entertainment; 13-year-old Ben Flavelle kicking off the musical feast with a fearless solo performance in front of hundreds of admirers. Ben, the grandson of Donaghadee musician Jackie Flavelle, who also appeared on stage alongside the young prodigy spared a moment to tell the Spectator how he got involved in the Lifeboat Festival. He said, 'My granda asked me to join him on stage today and I jumped at the opportunity. A proud Ben added, ' I am in a band called the 'Black Watersailers'. Next on stage was 'Silver Spurs', the experienced Line-Dancers gracing the stage mid-afternoon with a fun-filled performance; the crowd playing their part by clapping along and jiving to classics such as 'Whiskey in the Jar' as Donaghadee danced the day away in picturesque surroundings. 

Donaghadee Community Choir, who formed over social networking site Facebook as recently as last November with their collective 'passion' for singing had only previously peformed to raise funds for Donaghadee First Presbyterian Church and at Mullaghboy Nursing home at Christmas time. That was all about to change as they took to the stage to thrill the crowd with timeless classics such as the Lighthouse Family's ' I wish' and Bobby Womack's 'California Dreaming' in perfect harmony. Hannah McNamara, 18, and the youngest member of the choir concluded their set with a nerveless rendition of ' Thankyou for the music'. Judging my the rapturous reaction the vast crowd were thankful for just that. 

There was still time for the 'Una Breslin School of Irish Dance' to delight the crowd with their nimble footwork; the girls producing a passionate display of perfectly choreographed Irish dance to conclude an enjoyable afternoon and send the 5000 strong crowd home with fond memories of yet another successful celebration and more importantly recognition of the work of the Lifeboat in preventing the loss of lives at sea.

Peter Alcock, Press Officer for the Lifeboat and joint organiser of the event alongside Evelyn Bennett paid thanks to all those who made the afternoon festivities possible. He said, ' On behalf of Donaghadee Lifeboat I would like to thank everyone for coming down to support their festival and the work of the Lifeboat in Donaghadee. I would also like to thank the Ards Community Festival Fund for their continued support and all those people who made today possible. He concluded by saying, ' Each year the festival seems to go from strength to strength with more and more people making the effort to show support for the work of the RNLI. 

Donaghadee Lifeboat Golf Day

Friday 31st August at Donaghadee Golf Club
Start Sheet in Pro Shop 91 882392
Visitors £20 Members £15 incl Meal
Great Prizes to be won, for more information Peter On 91 883141

Lifeboat Festival returns to Donaghadee - 27th July 2012

Donaghadee will be buzzing with excitement this Saturday when it welcomes back the annual Lifeboat Festival. The town will be welcoming visitors from far and wide to come and celebrate the great work of the RNLI and raise awareness of the vital role they play in preventing the loss of lives at sea.

The fun kicks off at 12am with a raft race, where rafts of all shapes, sizes and crews in fancy dress will launch from the slipway at the Sailing Club.

On the harbour side throughout the afternoon there will be something for all the family. A diverse range of stalls which will include crafts, garden furniture, paintings, cards and gifts as well as a henna tattooist if you want to go home with a different memento of the day.For the children, a carousel, train and roundabout plus Punch and Judy, Puppets, Magic Storyteller and Mr Animal Balloon man.

On stage live music with Jackie Flavelle and at 3pm the Silver Spurs Line Dancers will strut their stuff in true western style followed by the recently formed Donaghadee Community Choir, twenty four song birds all from the town. Last but not least the flashing feet of Donaghadee’s answer to “Riverdance” with the girls of the Una Breslin school of Irish Dancers.

Visitors can also check out the displays from the Fire Service, PNSI Motor Cycles, Coastguard and Beach Guards (Baywatch comes to the Dee).

Then just time to hop aboard the lifeboat,with the experienced crew on hand to impart their expert knowledge of “Saxon” our local lifeboat, which battles the treacherous sea and at times unforgiving waters as they go out to save lives at sea.

Lady Golfers raise money for the RNLI - 19th July 2012

Ladies playing in the recent Lifeboat Trophy open day competition at Donaghadee Golf Club raised £385 in aid of Donaghadee RNLI. The Competition was sponsored by local estate agent John Minnis. Donaghadee Lady Captain Alison Strain said she was delighted to have raised the monies on behalf of the lifeboat and thanked John Minnis for their support.

Pictured at the cheque presentation Stephen McLean branch manager, John McAuley Donaghadee RNLI Chairman and Alison Strain.

Donaghadee Lifeboat Festival - 19th July 2012

The Donaghadee Lifeboat Festival now in its seventh year will take place on the Harbourside on Sat 4th August at 12noon till 5pm.The day commences with a raft race, last year we had over twenty rafts of all shapes and sizes racing around the harbour.We have childrens' rides, Punch and Judy, Puppet Show,Novelty Balloon Man, Story Teller,and the opportunity to visit the Lifeboat.

Live on stage we have Jackie Flavelle international jazz and folk singer, Irish Dancers, Line Dancers and the newly formed Donaghadee Community Choir. Stalls with childrens' books, cards and gifts,chocolate fountains,paintings,wooden crafts and lots more.

Also on display Beach life guards ,Fire service,Coastguard,PSNI motorcycles and RNLI safety unit.

Also in the harbour the Donaghadee Sailing Club will have a series of yacht races which will provide a colourful backdrop for the event.

So come along with the family and enjoy the fun,free admission.

Wonders of Travel Past and Present at Railway and Models Exhibition - 22nd June 2012

If you enjoy the history of travel then the Railway and Models exhibition taking place this Saturday 30th June is the place for you. The venue is the 1st Donaghadee Presbyterian Church hall, High Street between 10am and 5pm.

On show will be over 80 exhibits of trains, boats, aeroplanes, cars, and tractors as well as dolls houses from all over Ireland.

A donation of £2.50 for adults, and £1.50 for concessions will include light refreshments, with all proceeds going to Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat.

The lifeboat festival is taking place on Saturday 4th August and we are already taking bookings for the Raft Race. Last year we had a wide variety of crafts entered, some built for speed others for show and some just wanting to survive. So now is the time to get your entry in. If you don’t have time to build a raft you can hire one by going on to the Donaghadee lifeboat website www.donaghadeelifeboat.co.uk and click on to raft race or pick up a form from the lifeboat shop on the parade open 2 to 5 pm all week.

Local schools donate to the lifeboat - 20th June 2012

Donaghadee Primary School teacher Alision Octave and pupils recently visited the lifeboat with the certificate they recieved at the Queens University Belfast RNLI annual awards ceremony.The school raised £2,800.

Pictured are pupils from Killard House school who raised £200 for the lifeboat,the money was raised on a non uniform day over the Jubilee celebrations.All the children got the chance to go on board Saxon and take photograph.

Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain involved in Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant - 5 June 2012

Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara was aboard the charity’s newest all-weather lifeboat at Sunday’s Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant in London. Philip was joined at the event by eight other RNLI lifeboat crew from other divisions.

Representing RNLI stations in Northern Ireland, Philip said his thoughts were with his station, and his family and friends on what was a momentous occasion: “I was chosen to represent the lifeboat stations from the North of Ireland so that’s the reason I am here. The Queen is celebrating 60 years and the RNLI has saved 60,000 lives in that time.  I am  proud to be representing Donaghadee here on at the Pageant.”

The charity’s latest £2.7M Tamar-class lifeboat Diamond Jubilee on which Philip was aboard, will be stationed at Eastbourne Lifeboat Station. The lifeboat is expected to be placed on station in Eastbourne and ready for active service towards the end of June.

During Sunday’s Thames Pageant, the RNLI provided inshore lifeboats as safety cover for the duration of the River Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
Volunteer crew members representing 13 RNLI lifeboat stations helped to ensure participants and spectators had a safe and enjoyable time.

Volunteer crew members representing 13 RNLI lifeboat stations helped to ensure participants and spectators had a safe and enjoyable time. The crew members – from the RNLI’s four lifeboat stations on the River Thames and other coastal stations in the south-east of England – were onboard the charity’s 10 D-class and 8 E-class inshore lifeboats during the Pageant.

They helped to ensure that participants and spectators stayed safe, and were ready to respond if anyone needed assistance. The RNLI was also operating 2 Atlantic B-class lifeboats to assist with safety.

Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara to take part in Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant - 27th May 2012

The Coxswain of Donaghadee RNLI, Philip McNamara will be one of the crew members aboard the RNLI’s newest all-weather lifeboat – which will be named Diamond Jubilee in honour of the charity’s Patron, Her Majesty The Queen – when it takes part in the Diamond Jubilee River Thames Pageant on Sunday 3 June.

The charity’s latest £2.7M Tamar-class lifeboat, Diamond Jubilee – which will be stationed at Eastbourne Lifeboat Station – will be one of 1,000 vessels making their way along the River Thames on Pageant day.  It is set to be the largest flotilla in modern times on the river, with boats of all shapes and sizes stretching for an estimated 12.5 miles.

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will be on board the Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell.

Crew members aboard Diamond Jubilee represent both Ireland and the UK where the RNLI saves lives at sea.

Commenting on the news Donaghadee Coxswain Philip McNamara said: ‘It’s a huge honour to be part of the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant, which celebrates the 60-year reign of the charity’s Patron, The Queen.  It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event – and a wonderful way to celebrate the extraordinary commitment of Her Majesty, our volunteers, and everyone who supports the RNLI. 

The RNLI will also be providing inshore lifeboats as safety cover for the duration of the River Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

During The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, the RNLI is celebrating extraordinary commitment – of The Queen, and the charity’s volunteers and supporters.  For more information – or to make a donation – visit www.rnli.org.uk/celebrate

Donaghadee Lifeboat attend Portpatrick Naming Ceremony - 26th May 2012

Last Saturday saw Donaghadee lifeboat travel over to Portpatrick for the Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication of their new Tamar class lifeboat "The John Buchanan Barr". Hundreds of spectatators lined the harbour to watch the ceremoney with the Stranraer Brass Band and the Lochryan Pipe Band providing music to match the occasion.

Chairman of Portpatrick lifeboat Dr A Gordon Baird welcomed the official party and guests  to the ceremoney and the new lifeboat was duly handed over to Coxswain Quentin McKie and his crew.

Click images to enlarge

The Cloughey Lifeboat, “Herbert John”, a labour of love - 14th May 2012

Donaghadee man Quinton Nelson has a reputation on the North Down coast of having a great pair of hands and when it comes to renovating old lifeboats those hands work miracles. Quinton is well known locally as a boat man taking day trippers out to the Copeland Islands and on fishing trips in his motor vessel The Brothers. He was also a member of Donaghadee lifeboat for over nineteen years. His father and uncles served on the ‘Sir Samuel Kelly and took part in the rescue of survivors from the ‘Princess Victoria’ disaster.

Quinton’s latest project, one of six in his yard, was the old Cloughey lifeboat the “Herbert John”, which was found at the East  Belfast Yacht Club in poor condition by Quinton and Graham Mountford, an RNLI volunteer tractor launch driver at Newquay lifeboat station in Cornwall. Graham, a lifeboat enthusiast, had already owned a restored lifeboat the ‘City of Bradford 111’ but was looking for something smaller. After travelling many miles this was the project he had been looking for.

Graham was determined to return the lifeboat to its original condition and enlisted the help of Quinton who began the restoration over three years ago. The lifeboat had undergone a number of conversions over the years so all the old work had to be cleared away. The hull was found to be in sound condition, the next task was to replace the earlier 1960’s engine with a modern Ford marine diesel engine.

The weather deck in the front of the boat was replaced, with new gunnels being fitted. The original copper fuel tanks after much cleaning were fit for purpose. The general restoration work continued over the next three years until April saw the “Herbert John” returned to the water.

The Cloughey lifeboat station was established by the RNLI in 1884 as a result of a large number of wrecks on the east coast of Northern Ireland. The “Herbert John” was the fourth lifeboat at the station and replaced the “William Maynard” in 1939 and remained on service until 1952 when the station received its last lifeboat the “Constance Calverley” which remained there until the station closed in 1965.

The “Herbert John” served with great distinction through the war years. On the 28th January 1941 the S.S. Alhena of 4.930 tons grounded on the North Rock. She was bound for Port Said, Egypt with supplies for the Eighth Army. The “Herbert John” was launched and stood by the vessel several times over a period of five days and eventually had to take off the crew and army technicians, in total forty–five men. One crewman from a Royal Navy destroyer that was standing by was also taken ashore.

One of the most unusual events in the history of the Cloughey lifeboat occurred late on the evening of 21st of January 1942.A south easterly gale was blowing when the motor vessel “Cairngorm” went aground at Ballyquinton in squalls and sleet. Flares were spotted ashore and the “Herbert John” was launched just after 1.00am.On the way to the “Cairngorm” the lifeboat crew observed there were several large ships in the vicinity. As dawn broke it became apparent that these vessels had all gone aground, between Kearney Point and Ballyquinton Point.

It later transpired that the corvette, HMS Montbretia, had been escorting a convoy of merchant ships northwards when her crew had seen the distress flares from the “Cairngorm”. The warship had gone to assist it but unfortunately had grounded in doing so off Tara Point. She was then followed by five merchant ships making a total of seven ships grounded that morning.

The Newcastle lifeboat was launched and along with members of the Coastguard rescued fifty six members of the SS Browning. The RNLI awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the Newcastle crew for this difficult rescue.

During the following years many life-saving services continued to be carried out by the “Herbert John”.
On the 30th April 1946 a US victory class troopship the “Georgetown Victory” ran aground on Killard Point with over 1,200 demobbed service men on board. Again the Cloughey and Newcastle lifeboats were launched and with the assistance of the Coastguard and other ships, all aboard the “Georgetown Victory” were saved.
At 10.30 on the 30th January 1950 the “Herbert John” was launched to go to the aid of the South Rock Lightship, the “Shearwater”, which had parted company from its riding chain. In a severe south-easterly gale and high seas the lifeboat took off the crew one by one. During the rescue the “Herbert John” sustained damage when she was dashed against the side of the lightship several times.

Having successfully transferred all of the seven crew members the lifeboat proceeded homewards taking all on board safely ashore.

The coxswain George Young, received the “RNLI Thanks on Vellum” for the rescue.
Cloughey received a twin screw liverpool class lifeboat in 1952 and “Herbert John” went on to serve until the 1960’s at Youghal in Southern ireland

The station closed in 1965 when Portavogie Harbour became the home of a new lifeboat the “Glencoe Glasgow” where she remained in service until the station closed in 1978. Between 1884 and 1978 the Cloughey lifeboat was called out on 152 rescue missions and saved no less than 311 lives.

The “Herbert John”, now completely refurbished and in pristine condition, successfully completed its sea trials at Donaghadee before being transported by low loader on the Belfast/Liverpool ferry to its new home in Falmouth.

Graham, who is a founder member of the Historic Lifeboat Owners Association, is looking forward to many years of supporting the RNLI at lifeboat open days in and around the Falmouth area, as well as joining other enthusiasts at lifeboat rallies all around the country.

The RNLI lifeboat “Herbert John” is a living tribute to all those brave men who risk their lives to save others in peril on the sea.

Local Primary schools in RNLI Sporting Challenge - 11th May 2012

Last Friday saw seventy five children from local primary schools taking  part in a programme of sporting challenges organised by the Donaghadee lifeboat fund raising team.

The children were welcomed to Killard School by Lifeboat  Fundraising chairlady Evelyn Bennett who thanked the school for hosting the event.

The children were set tasks to encourage them to work as teams and for each other, just as the lifeboat crew do. The tasks included get your kit on, where the children have to dress in lifeboat gear and are timed, an obstacle course, man the lifeboat and for team spirit a welly football match.

The winners who received a silver cup and gold medals presented by Donaghadee lifeboat coxswain Phillip McNamara were Ballyvester,  second place were silver medallists Donaghadee team  one with Donaghadee team two in bronze medal position. Killard, St. Anne’s and Carrowdore also received medals.

All the schools received certificates and educational packs before giving a resounding cheer of thanks to the hard working lifeboat volunteers.

Young visitors having fun in RNLI shop - 6th May 2012

These young ladies were enjoying a visit to Donaghadee with their parents on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon, when they called in at the RNLI shop on the parade. Pictured L/R are Jenny Crawford 5, Erin Morrision 3,and Amelia Watterson 5.The girls from Bangor and Dundonald were checking out the wide choice of toys and gifts to spend their pocket money on.

The shop is now open seven days, 2pm to 5pm, we are always looking for volunteers a little older than these three to help out in the shop. If you have a little time on your hands we look forward to seeing you.

RNLI's exhibit at the Donaghadee Commercial and Development Groups Community Showcase - 25th Mar 2012

Liz Brown Education officer(pictured) manning  the RNLI's stand at the recent Donaghadee Commercial and Development Groups Community Showcase.It was an opportunity for local organisations to tell the general public about their activities. Jim Brown and Peter Alcock also helped out on the stall.

Parish Bowlers donate Lifejacket to RNLI - 29th Mar 2012

The offering raised at a bowlers’ service which took place last Sunday at the Parish Church has paid for a new all weather life jacket for a crew member of Donaghadee lifeboat.

Pictured presenting a cheque for £345 to Evelyn Bennett lifeboat fundraising team chairlady is Mrs E B Lilley and members of the parish bowling team. Mrs Lilley is the longest serving member of the team.

Over 200 people attended the service where the guests were the

Boys Brigade Centenary Male Voice Choir.

Plaque presentation to Donaghadee RNLI - 25th Mar 2012

Members of the Newry Maritime Association visited Donaghadee lifeboat station last Saturday as part of a service of remembrance in memory of the Newry registered steamship, the SS Upas.

The three masted steamer was the flagship of the Fisher fleet launched in 1913 and was regarded as one of the best sea boats on the Irish sea.

On the 18th March,1915 the ship was on passage from Ayr to Warrenpoint with a cargo of coal. By the time the ship had reached South Rock light ship the weather had severely deteriorated. When its cargo shifted the ship began to list heavily to port and started to sink.

Donaghadee lifeboat, the William and Laura, was launched to go to the aid of the vessel and arrived just as the SS Upas sank and was only able to rescue two of the eight man crew.

The members of the association were given a tour of the lifeboat station and a short talk on its history by Murdoch Bennett before leaving to lay a floral tribute to those lost at Ballyquintin Point.

Lifeboat S.O.S. Day - 15th Jan 2012

As part of  the RNLI’s biggest fundraising day, the Donaghadee lifeboat fundraising team are organising a Quiz in the Joe Patterson Room  at the Meadowbank Social Club on Thursday 26th January at 8pm.

Teams of six at £5 per person will enjoy supper and a great night’s craic with Tommy Fulton asking the questions. So why not come along and support your local volunteer lifeboat crew.

Santa to the Rescue - 20th Nov 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat shop supervisor Aileen Smyth was all at sea when she found her stock of RNLI Christmas cards was getting perilously low.

But help was at hand in the shape of Santa Claus who made a special trip from Lapland and came to her rescue with a sack full of great cards to keep all the customers happy. Aileen and her team of volunteers are manning the shop from 2 to 5 pm, seven days a week up to Christmas, and have a great selection of gifts for all the family. So why not visit our little shop and support the charity that saves lives at sea.

Clay pigeon club make presentation to lifeboat in memory of secretary - 13th Nov 2011

Derryboye clay pigeon club recently held a target clay pigeon shoot to raise money in memory of their secretary Diane Hunter who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Diane was a strong supporter of Donaghadee lifeboat so the club members decided that all monies raised on the day should be donated to the lifeboat.

Giles Duncan, the club secretary, said that over 150 clay enthusiasts turned up on the day and with the entry fee and a ballot the club were delighted to have raised £1500.  He also wished to thank the Valley Hotel, Park Avenue Hotel, Malmaison Hotel and Ulster Weavers for their support.

Pictured presenting the cheque for £1500 to coxswain Philip McNamara and crew members is club chairman Chris Henry and members of the club.

Donaghadee lifeboat escorts new Tamar lifeboat into Portpatrick - 6th November 2011

Last Monday evening saw “The John Buchanan Barr”, a Tamar class RNLI lifeboat, arrive in Donaghadee harbour after a 500 mile trip from RNLI headquarters in Poole.

The lifeboat was on the last stages of its journey to its new home in Portpatrick. The Tamar is one of the latest and most technologically advanced in the RNLI fleet.

The crew stayed as guests of Donaghadee lifeboat overnight before setting out for home on Tuesday morning in their new boat with flags and bunting flying bravely in a strong wind. They were escorted over to Portpatrick by Saxon and welcomed in to their home harbour by the current boat “The Mary Irene Millar “which will stay for a few days during the handover.

Andy Ross of Lochryan Pipe Band, piped in the vessel which is named after a distinguished GP who died in 2003 at the age of 93, he was a major in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was awarded the MBE for distinguished services in North Africa.

Dr Barr and his wife Catherine, who lived in Bearsden, Glasgow, had no children. They had struck up a bond with the RNLI after they started visiting Portpatrick and Catherine who died in 2008 at the age of 98, requested that a legacy gift should be left to the charity for a new boat named after her husband.

Coxswain Quentin McKie said he was privileged to be in charge of the new lifeboat and that it was a great honour for Portpatrick to have this boat and to have this magnificent legacy.

Click images to enlarge

Lifeboat website a big hit with Centra - 3rd November 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat website www.donaghadeelifeboat.co.uk continues to go from strength to strength with the support of local supermarket Centra.

The website which was set up to promote the Centenary last year has continued to be a great source of information on all aspects of the lifeboat. During the last year the site has had over six thousand five hundred and fifty visitors.

Gwen Patterson of Centra is a strong supporter of the lifeboat and as well as sponsoring the website also supported the activities of the fund raising team at this years Festival and Golf day.

Without the financial support of local companies like Gwen’s the lifeboat would struggle to maintain the high standards it sets itself in training and equipping its volunteer crews to save lives at sea.

Lady golfers supporting lifeboat - 28th October 2011

Donaghadee golf club’s Lady Captain Christine Kennedy is pictured presenting a cheque for £640 to lifeboat press officer Peter Alcock.The money was raised by the ladies branch when they held their annual lifeboat day competition earlier in the year.

Music to shop by with the RNLI - 23rd October 2011

Enjoy a little light music while you’re shopping? Well the fundraisers at Donaghadee lifeboat have just the evening for you.

They have organised a Winter Collections shopping evening with local retailers Kate Boyd from Dunn’s Footwear and Wendy  Currie from Copeland Antiques.

A little light “Music from the Shows” will be performed by Chique Musique during the evening along with supper. The venue is the Joe Patterson room at the Meadowbank Club on Thursday 3rd November at 7.30pm.
Why not come along to shop for yourself or even get those Christmas presents sorted early while at the same time supporting your local Lifeboat.

Tickets £5 are available from Dunn’s Footwear, Copeland Antiques and the Lifeboat shop.

Sir Samuel Kelly memorabilia presented to lifeboat - 17th October 2011

Last Sunday members of the family of the late Jim Armstrong gathered at Donaghadee Sailing Club along with members of Donaghadee lifeboat and the  club to make a presentation to the lifeboat.

Jim served for many years on the lifeboat and was station mechanic at the time of the Princess Victoria disaster. He received The Thanks of the RNLI on Vellum for the excellent work he carried out during the rescue of thirty three survivors. On his retirement he also received a long service certificate.

Rex Armstrong, his nephew, who now lives in Belfast wanted his uncle’s two framed awards to come back to Donaghadee  as part of the station’s history. He is pictured presenting the awards to Philip McNamara, lifeboat coxswain, with other now retired members of the crew who served with Jim on the Kelly. Also in the photograph is Hugh Nelson who is the last surviving member of the crew of the Kelly who took part in the rescue. He served alongside his father Hugh who was coxswain on that fateful day back in 1953.

Philip said he was delighted to accept the awards as they were a part of the station’s history, and went on to say that the shape and size of lifeboats may have changed but the men and women who serve in them stay committed to saving lives at sea.

Hugh Nelson, Willie Lennon, Murdoch Bennett, Philip McNamara, Walker Simpson, Rex Armstrong. Arthur Arbuckle.	Hugh Nelson and Philip McNamara receiving awards from Rex Armstrong.	Crew members  accepting awards from Rex Armstrong.

Donaghadee lifeboat a winner on Captain’s Day - 15th September 2011

Club Captain Robert McIlwaine is pictured presenting a cheque for £304 to lifeboat operations manager Alan Couser. Robert nominated the local lifeboat as his charity for his big day. Alan said he was delighted to accept the cheque on behalf of the lifeboat and in thanking Robert assured him that the money would go to train and equip local lifeboat volunteers in saving lives at sea.

Lifeboat Golf Day Goes with a Swing - 9th September 2011

Early starters at the Donaghadee lifeboat golf day which took place last Thursday started in heavy rain but fortunately this soon cleared away and a sunny day was enjoyed by over ninety golfers competing for some great prizes and raising money for the RNLI.

Pictured are Neale Jenkins and Alan Couser presenting prizes to the men’s winner Neal Stewart and ladies winner Julie Kerr and runner up Eleanor Alcock.

Full results were Men’s winner Neal Stewart 44points,George Heaney 42 points, Trevor O’Rorke 41 points, best gross Darren Adams 69.Ladies winner Julie Kerr 33 points,runner up Eleanor Alcock 31 points. Men’s longest drive Andrew Girvan, Ladies’ longest drive Linda Crawford. The winner of the Rory McIlroy shirt was Billy McKeag.

Helping Neale and Alan organise the day were June Trimble,Callum Jenkins and Peter Alcock. The event raised £1,920 and the RNLI are grateful to the club and staff for their support, and a special thanks to Roy Butler of Ballywhisken camping and camping park for sponsoring the day.

Lifeboat says cheers to London pub - 19th August 2011

Customers from a London pub, the Cock and Bottle, have been supporting Donaghadee lifeboat over a number of years. To date they have raised £5,605 in aid of the RNLI.

Richard Talbot landlord of the pub said his customers are great supporters of the lifeboat and whilst over for  the Festival weekend presented a cheque on their behalf for £500 to Evelyn Bennett and Peter Watson of the fund raising team.

Pictures from Donaghadee Lifeboat Weekend - 13-14th August 2011

Click images to enlarge

Donaghadee Garden Centre present cheque to lifeboat - 31st July 2011

A Summer fun weekend event organised by the Garden Centre raised over £520 for Donaghadee lifeboat .Pictured presenting the cheque to Evelyn Bennett chairlady of the fundraising team is Diana Gass Managing Director and members of staff from the centre and lifeboat fundraisers.