Cork RNLI volunteers attend Buckingham Palace garden party

Volunteers from Baltimore RNLI attended a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday in celebration of the charity’s 200th anniversary.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute 200th Anniversary Garden Party was held by Princess Anne, the British princess royal, accompanied by RNLI vice-president vice-admiral Tim Laurence, and RNLI president Prince Edward, the duke of Kent.

The RNLI has operated in Ireland since 1826, two years after its foundation, and continued its work here after Irish independence, with the Irish ministry of industry and commerce confirming in 1924 that “the Government will be very glad to see the institution continue its activities in the Free State”.

Gallantry awards

An RNLI lifeboat station has been established at Baltimore for more than 85 years, with fishing, water sports, and the sea playing an important part of the area’s history. Over the years, Baltimore crews have been presented with 15 awards for gallantry.

The garden party brought together around 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving volunteers, staff, and their families, and also featured an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat in the palace grounds.

Among those attending from across the charity were Baltimore RNLI coxswain Aidan Bushe, assistant coxswain Brendan Cottrell, assistant mechanic Brian McSweeney, and LPO Kate Callanan.

Accompanying them were Aidan’s wife Marion, Brendan’s wife Karen, Brian’s wife Chiara, and Kate’s husband assistant mechanic Micheal Cottrell.

Honoured

Speaking ahead of the garden party, RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said the charity was honoured that King Charles had granted permission for the garden party to take place at Buckingham Palace.

“Our hosts, the princess royal, the duke of Kent, and vice-admiral Sir Tim Laurence have been hugely supportive of our charity over many decades, and it will be a huge honour and privilege for many of our volunteers and staff to meet them,” he said.

RNLI head of volunteering Donna McReath said the charity could not function without volunteers.

“They are all lifesavers, and this special garden party is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the joy and impact of volunteering for the RNLI,” she said.