Launch of new inshore lifeboat

May 1998

LIFEBOAT members in Wicklow town have extended an open invitation to everybody to attend this Saturday’s offical launch of the brand new inshore lifeboat.

The new boat, named ‘Inbhear Deas’, marks the culmination of an 18-month fundraising campaign which involved generous support from local people and businesses around the Wicklow town area.

‘ There is a great pride in the lifeboat tradition in Wicklow,’ said the vice-chairman of the Wicklow branch of RNLI, Des Davitt, ‘so much so that the target figure was reached with six months still to run.’

In all, £64,000 was raised and this covered the cost of the new boat and an extension to the lifeboat station.

Founder member of the ladies’ RNLI guild in Wicklow Essie Byrne will perform the naming ceremony on Saturday next and it will be blessed by Fr Frank McDonnell PP, Canon John Clarke and Rev Sahr Yambusa.