'It was a big part of my life': John Walsh retires from Coast Guard after 50 years of service

It’s not just because John Walsh lives in the picture-perfect fishing village of Ballycotton, overlooking the majestic lighthouse guarding the bay, that he was inspired to join the Ballycotton Coast Guard 50 years ago.

It is also because he has inherited both his father’s and his mother’s genes.

“My grandfather Michael Walsh was involved with the Ballycotton Lifeboat volunteers in the famous Daunt Rock rescue in February, 1936,” says John.

“The crew endured 49 hours at sea in a gale and bitter winds to save the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship. Michael received a bronze medal for his bravery.”

The Daunt Rock rescue is considered one of the most famous sea rescues in Irish maritime history.

John’s mother, a caring, neighbourly woman, had a claim to fame too.

“She was delighted when I showed an interest and joined the Coast Guard at age 16,” says John.

“She had a great heart, and she loved the idea of me helping people.”

John is only one of three people to date to have been awarded the Garda Cósta na Eireann Irish Coast Guard medal for Marine Long Service, recognising his 50 years of dedication with Ballycotton Coast Guard.

Training for the coast guards is a multi-faceted process that includes practical skills and theoretical knowledge in areas like first aid, marine and land-based search techniques, radio communications and specialised roles such as helicopter rescue.

“It can be tough,” says John. “And you can be lucky and unlucky regarding the outcomes of helping to save lives.

“The Irish Plane running aground near Ballyshane near Ballycotton during a severe gale in February, 1947, was another 63-hour successful rescue to save 34 crew from the shipwreck,” says John. “My father often spoke of it.”

Another reason John joined the Ballycotton Coast Guard was that they were all in it together.

“The coast guard crew are the nicest bunch of people you could ever meet,” says John.

“They are highly trained, and they have the best equipment in the world. My two brothers and my three sons were involved one way or another.”

It’s a case for all for one and one for all.

“We support and encourage each other,” says John.

“We formed a special bond and we looked after each other. It can be a dangerous job.”

He recalls rescues that he was part of.

“I remember when we were hauling in the second last man aboard a ship. The Captain fell and broke his leg. We had to send the first mate back with a line to haul him onto land.”

John became the officer in charge in 1998.

“You have to be in tip-top form and ready to go,” says John.

One lady that the Ballycotton Coast Guard rescued didn’t know where she was going.

“There was a mother and daughter from France staying in a house in Ballycotton,” says John.

“The mother decided to go walkabout and her daughter alerted us some time after her mother went missing.

“There was no trace of her being last seen. We set about the search from Ballycotton to Garryvoe. We were about to close down the search for the night when one of the crew spotted fresh footprints across the bog. Then he spotted a woman’s head up over the mud. We had to lay timbers across the area for the crew to secure the harness in order to get to her. The volunteers couldn’t get too close to the lady in case they were sucked down into the bog alongside her.

“We managed to get the harness under her armpits and gently remove her from the thick mud. The Guileen unit and Cork City Rescue arrived to help us. The combined expertise of the units meant the rescue came off well that night.

“Both mother and daughter were very grateful,” says John.

“It was a case of all’s well that ends well.”

John has always pushed the boat out.

“I had to leave my sons’ two christenings to attend a rescue operation,” says John.

What did the priest think?

“The priest looked quare at me!” says John.

“He asked my wife, Mary, where was I going?”

Mary cut John a bit of slack.

“She knew the drill!,” says John.

“Many of the crew on call 24/7 have left their beds in the middle of the night to take part in a rescue operation.”

As well as his life boat work, John has worked at Stephen Pearse Pottery for 20 years and in Glenside Homes, NET, Cobh, and has been involved with Flynn Cush for the last eight or nine years.

“Over the years, we rescued a good few people,” says John of his 50 years involved in search and rescue on land and sea.

“There were some sad tragedies in Ballycotton, and there were some happy outcomes.

“It is the luck of the draw. My crew were always there to back me up.

“We rescued people trapped on Ballycotton cliffs, fishermen trapped in the hold of the ship, swimmers getting into difficulty, all sorts of dangerous situations.”

There is a lot of responsibility going with being a volunteer with the Ballycotton Coast Guard crew.

“Yes, there is huge responsibility involved that people don’t see,” says John.

“There is always a great team of volunteers ready to take over the roles with the Coast Guard.

“They are dedicated, committed people, who want to look out for others.

“I must have met hundreds of volunteers in my time,” says John.

“I have great memories. I could stay forever with the Ballycotton Coast Guard. For 50 years, it was a big part of my life.”

The unpredictable Irish weather has always played a big part in events.

“Nearly all events are weather-related,” says John.

“We have assigned protection gear that must be worn at all times when attempting a rescue.”

Why did John volunteer with the Ballycotton Coast Guard for half a century?

He smiles.

“There was something pushing me always,” says John.

“I just did it. And I think because Mam always wanted me to. She was that type of lady.”

What are John’s plans now after retiring and having being decorated for his long-time service to Ballycotton Coast Guard?

“I plan to have a nice, quiet time,” says John.

“And a relaxing time, if I can!”

• Ballycotton Coast Guard, Cork, operates a cliff rescue service and search and rescue 365 days a year to respond to any emergency. The main roles of the Coast Guard are to rescue people from danger at sea or on land, to organise immediate medical transport and to assist boats and ships within the country’s jurisdiction. To volunteer, you must live within a 20-minute drive of a Coast Guard Rescue Centre and meet the volunteer requirements.