RNLI has a long tradition in Wicklow Harbour

FOR over 150 years the lifeboat station at Wicklow has provided search and rescue cover off the scenic east coast of the Garden County.

The first lifeboat house in Wicklow town dates back to 1857 and was built at a cost of 100 near the Packet Pier for a 30ft rowing lifeboat called Dauntless.

That lifeboat house lasted for under ten years before a new lifeboat house had to be build as coastal erosion had washed the previous site away. The new lifeboat house was constructed in 1865 and cost £335 to build on the northside of the river.

The Robert Theophilus Garden (ON116) rescue boat, costing £275, began service in 1866. In 1886 the Harbour Commissioners granted a site for a new lifeboat house, which was opened in 1887 at the current location at South Quay, here it remains in use to this day. The new lifeboat house and slipway cost £654.

The Robert Theophilus Garden (ON178) began service in 1889, at a cost of £710, followed by the Robert Theophilus Garden (ON422) in 1899, costing £805.

In 1911, the boathouse was adapted and the stations first Motor lifeboat, the Robert Theophilus Garden (ON609), was sent to the station, and was the first motor lifeboat to be sent to Ireland. The new lifeboat JW Archer (ON933) began service in 1956. The boathouse was adapted and the slipway extended in 1989 for the station’s new Tyne class lifeboat. The adaptations to the boathouse included the removal of the first floor area and the existing doors, the demolition of the gable wall and lean, a new two-storey extension on the side constructed to accommodate improved crew facilities; new doors were installed and additional extensions were constructed for the refurbished winch and a souvenir sales outlet. The slipway was extended by 24 metres.

The new station Tyne class lifeboat Annie Blaker (ON1153) was placed on duty at the station in October of the same year.

A boathouse extension in 1997 was carried out for the arrival of the new D class lifeboat D-518 Inbhear Deas, which was placed on service on May 23.

The new class of lifeboat IB1, D-671 Sheringham Shanty Men was placed on service on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, and was funded by money raised at concerts given by the Sheringham Shantymen.