Achill Island lifeboat station is located in an area of magnificent coastal scenery, with the highest cliffs in Ireland. Celebrating 10 years as a lifeboat station, Achill Island lifeboat crews have received eight awards for gallantry.
This station is classed as an observe station. Observe stations also welcome visitors but many are in inaccessible places and best suited to maritime rescue rather than visits. However, they are situated in stunning locations so why not enjoy the local area, using the station as a starting point?
Station address: Achill Island Lifeboat Station Cloghmore Co Mayo
Station telephone: 098 45612
Station opening times: Please call to check
Accessibility: Parking, disabled access
Visitor contact: Tom Honeyman
Visitor contact telephone: 098 45612 / 087 220 8568
Following a review of lifeboat cover in the Clew Bay area of County Mayo it was resolved at a meeting of the Executive Committee held on 22 November 1995 that an all weather lifeboat station be established at Kildavnet, in the southern part of Achill Sound for 12 months evaluation. Clew Bay lies 50 miles by sea to the south of the all weather lifeboat station at Ballyglass and 50 miles by sea to the north of Aran Islands (formerly Galway Bay) all weather lifeboat station.
1996
In order to provide the station with suitable crew facilities during the evaluation period, a portacabin and a storage container were sited at Kildavnet during June/July and temporary lifeboat, Waveney class, ON1027 Helen Turnball was placed on service.
1997
Arun class lifeboat placed on service on 26 January. Silver Medal awarded to Coxswain Brian Patten, and Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution Mr David Ackland awarded to the crew for the rescue of three men and the fishing vessel Carrigeen Bay that had engine failure and was drifting rapidly onto rocks in a Force 9 Strong Gale and 22ft swells on 27 February 1999. Despite appalling conditions a tow was established and although this parted on several occasions and with the sea breaking over both vessels the Carrigeen Bay was towed to the shelter of Clare Island. The award of the Silver Medal, voted by the Committee of Management on 15 September 1999 was uniquely announced at the end of the naming ceremony of ON1240 on 18 September 1999.
James Michael Bower Endowment Fund Award for 1999 awarded to Brian Patten, as one of the two Silver Medal awardees of 1999.
A new B class boathouse completed in February at a cost of £600,550.
A special framed certificate signed by Surgeon Rear Admiral F Golden and the Chief Executive presented to Crew Members David Curtis and Arthur Knipe, and also Doctor Patrick Lineen in recognition of the compassion and exemplary first aid rendered to a seriously injured woman who was in a perilous position on a narrow pier wall. The assistance was given in darkness during the night of 9 April 2005.
MEDAL RECORD: Silver medal awarded 1999