Inaugural RNLI flag day event

Kinvara will host its inaugural flag day in support of the RNLI at the weekend.
The event is aimed at the whole family and Dominic Gallagher, one of its organisers, is hopeful the community can raise a significant amount of money for the charity.
“The RNLI is a great organisation. It has always been close to my heart.
“It doesn’t get money from the Government so fundraising is vital to keep it going.
“We have a huge number of volunteers taking part and we are hoping to make this an annual event,” Dominic stated.
“People often take the RNLI for granted.
“The old motto is the RNLI always answer the call, they always go when they are called, no matter what the circumstances. Other countries don’t have organisations like the RNLI. It is a most professional outfit made up of brave men and women and we are lucky to have them.
“We are a seaside community and a lot of people are taking back to the water for pleasure and fishing so now more than ever we need to support the RNLI,” he continued. The Kilronan lifeboat, Galway Bay lifeboat, the coastguard and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre helicopter are all expected to be in Kinvara on Sunday for the family day.
“There will be face painting, a pirate-themed fancy dress competition, a barbecue, wine tasting, live music and of course we will have a number of RNLI lifeboats in the water on the day,” Dominic explained.
The day will also include sea safety training and free checking of life jackets.
“There will be a blessing of the boats ceremony as well as a number of raffles followed by an auction in the Pier Head from 9pm.
All of the proceeds raised will be donated directly to the RNLI.
“Members and friends of the lifeboat crew and lifeboat fundraising committee will be out with their collection buckets and would be grateful for any support.
“So we are asking people to please give generously to save lives at sea,” Dominic added.
“Lifeboats need to be designed, built, fuelled and maintained and their crews trained and equipped. Lifeguards also need training and equipment.
“They are some of the costs faced by the RNLI,” he explained.
RNLI has had a permanent lifeboat station in Galway since 1997. The current Galway Lifeboat, a B-Class Atlantic 75, was also placed on station that same year. The lifeboat cost £120,000 and this was funded locally by the Galway City Appeal.
As the cost of the lifeboat was funded locally, naming the new lifeboat also fell to the locals as well. A competition to name the lifeboat was run on local radio, and eventually the name “Dóchas”, was chosen.
Since the establishment of the Galway RNLI Lifeboat, the crew have answered more than 360 calls, completing more than 270 rescues and have saved 71 lives.
“The Galway Lifeboat is crewed by a dedicated group of ­volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, ready to answer a call when most people would not dream of putting to sea,” Dominic stated.
“That is part of the reason we want to support them.”
Today, there are over 20 active crewmembers, including one female crew, as well as three shore crewmembers, who assist with launching the boat.
A number of the crew have been active members since the founding of the station in 1996.
“We are hoping that lots of people will come out and take part in the events on the day.
“We want people to have fun while raising money for this brilliant cause but we also want to remind people to respect the sea,” Dominic concluded.
The family fun day takes place on Sunday at 3pm.