Dunmore East History

Before a lifeboat station was established at Dunmore East many rescues were carried out off the coast and four Silver Medals were awarded (1834, 1835, 1838 and 1841).

1884 An RNLI lifeboat station was established and a boathouse and slipway were built.

1889 A Silver Medal was awarded to Sergeant Thomas Sutcliffe for rescuing 13 crew from the barque Etta.

1893 Crew Member Philip Boutcher lost his life when the lifeboat capsized.

1913 The station’s first motor lifeboat arrived at the station.

1914 On Friday 20 February the schooner Mexico was wrecked on South Keeragh Island. Fethard lifeboat was hurled onto the rocks by heavy breakers and nine of her crew of 14 were drowned. The five survivors scrambled onto the Island where they helped, by means of lines, eight crew from the Mexico leave the wreck and take refuge on the Island.

Dunmore East, Kilmore and Wexford lifeboats tried to rescue the men but it was not until Monday 23 February that they were eventually saved.

A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Walter Power of Dunmore East and a further four Silver Medals were awarded to the Wexford Coxswain, two lifeboat crew and Commander Holmes, Chief Inspector of Lifeboats.

1919 The station closed.

1925 The station re-opened and a motor lifeboat was placed on moorings in the harbour.

1941 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Second Coxswain Patrick Power for rescuing seven crew from the trawler Ibis.

1951 Bronze Medals were awarded to Coxswain Patrick Power and Second Coxswain Richard Power for rescuing five crew from the fishing boat St Declan.

1961 A third Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Patrick Power for rescuing one man from a barge and saving a second barge. He also received the Maud Smith Award for the bravest act of lifesaving in 1960.

1964 Bronze Medals were awarded to Coxswain Patrick Power, Second Coxswain Stephen Whittle and Assistant Mechanic John Power for rescuing six men from the Jan Brons.

1971 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Stephen Whittle for rescuing three men from the fishing boat Glenmalure.

1975 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain Stephen Whittle for rescuing seven crew from the motor vessel Michael.

1976 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle for rescuing a man from a boat that had been washed onto rocks.

1979 A special framed certificate was awarded to the Coxswain and crew when several yachts were in difficulties during the Fastnet Race in August.

1984 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1996  A new Trent class lifeboat was placed on service on 7 October.

2001 New shore facilities were completed.

A Framed Letter of Thanks was presented to Coxswain Joseph Murphy for a service lasting over eight hours when the yacht Karen Liquid and her single crew member were saved.

2002 A new pontoon berth was completed in June.

Station honours

At Dunmore East lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 1

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 1

Bronze Medal 8

Silver Medal 7