John Tallon’s 40 years of service to the RNLI

IF AND WHEN the story of the Clogherhead coast life-saving station comes to be written, a special niche will surely be reserved for the Tallons and Kirwans who have served so faithfully over the decades—back to 1899, when the records of the Royal Irish Lifeboat Institution show that for more than twenty years, the onerous job of life saving was dependant on a rowing boat, the Charles Whitton.

The work of sea rescue in a way comes easy to Clogher’s hardy folk with their great seafaring tradition, and high up on any roll of honour must be the name of sturdy John Tallon whose retirement as coxswain of the George and Caroline Ermen lifeboat, is announced.

He had held the post proudly since 1947, after being second cox from ‘38 to ‘46, bowman from ‘33 to ‘38, and:a deck hand for nine years before that again —making a grand total of over forty years’ service.

Mr. Tallon’s resignation has gone off to headquarters in England, with a recommendation that his successor be Michael (Mickey ) Kirwan, who has been serving for some time as second cox.

As for as the name is concerned, this will be a case of history repeating itself, for John Tallon’s predecessor as cox was another Michael Kirwan (“Skups”), uncle of the cox elect, and grandfather of Oliver Tallon whose nomination has gone forward as second cox.

Oliver, son of Mr. Tom Tallon, owner of the Ard Ciaran trawler, recently secured his skipper’s certificate after completing a special Department course. He is nephew of the retiring lifeboat cox. Messrs. Kirwan and Tallon have been recommended for their appointments by the .Irish District Inspector, Mr. Walton, and letters confirming these, are expected to arrive shortly. Mr. Tommy Tallon has been nominated as new bowman. The crew also embraces first mechanic Michael Levins, and assistant mechanic John Garvey. In addition there are deck hands and tractor men.

The George and Caroline Ermen, in service since 1950, has recently returned to Clogherhead after an extensive overhaul in Arklow.

Following the Charles Whitton into service at Clogher (1899/77 come the John Dunn (1927/31). succeeded bv the Mary Ann Blunt (1931/’50).