Ireland

Donegal priest is newest member of island lifeboat crew

Arranmore Island curate and RNLI volunteer, Fr Liam Boyle.
Arranmore Island curate and RNLI volunteer, Fr Liam Boyle.

A Co Donegal lifeboat crew is expecting extra help from on high following the recruitment of its latest member, a Catholic priest.

Arranmore curate Fr Liam Boyle is the newest addition to the island’s busy RNLI team.

Fr Boyle, who is originally from Fanad on the Donegal mainland, has already been on an “emergency shout” with the crew one early morning last month.

He faced high seas and strong winds when he joined a 4.15am call to help two stranded Canadian sailors whose 45ft yacht grounded near rocks.

The lifeboat was unable reach the yacht but it provided extra light in the darkness as a Coastguard rescue helicopter airlifted the men to safety.

Fr Boyle said his involvement with the RNLI came about by chance.

After going to view the lifeboat at Arranmore pier, one of the crew suggested joining them.

He said he got a “real rush of adrenalin” when the pager went for the Canadian yacht “shout”.

The Donegal cleric said his colleagues understood his priority would be the spiritual guidance of Arranmore’s Catholics, but he is also fully intent on fulfilling his role as a proud RNLI crew member.