Fr Sean O’Shea honoured by R.N.L.I.

Family, friends, lifeboat committee members and members of Castletownbere lifeboat crew gathered recently to pay tribute to Fr Sean O’Shea for his voluntary work for the lifeboat over the last ten years.

  Castletownbere born Fr Sean O’Shea was attached to the Scottish Diocese of Motherwell prior to becoming an  R.A.F. Chaplain from 1958 to 1974. He served in the U.K., Singapore, Adfen and Germany before returning to work in Bere Island in 1975. He served in Bere Island for fourteen years and is as busy as ever in retirement.   On the arrival of the Castletownbere lifeboat, R.N.L.B. “Roy & Barabara Harding” in October 1997, Fr Sean was appointed Lifeboat Chaplain.

  Fr Sean has fundraised tirelessly over the past ten years through the annual flag day on Regatta Day and more recently through the joint weekly lotto run in conjunction with Coaction West Cork. The R.N.L.I. has acknowledged Fr Sean’s contribution by presenting him with the Institution’s Silver Badge. 

  The presentation took place in “The Usual” among many well-wishers. Fr Sean’s sister, Sr Sheila O’Shea, cousin singer Sean O’Se, cousin Murty O’Shea from Adrigole, nieces Dr Mairead Phillips from Dublin, Mrs Nessa O’Donnel from Cork were joined by many others to make the occasion a memorable one.  Also present were his fellow fundraisers Mrs Sheila O’Driscoll and Mr Joe Turner, and 103FM broadcaster John Greene.  

  Mrs Sheila O’Driscoll , who recently received the R.N.L.I.’s Gold Badge, welcomed the gathering and asked singer Sean O’Se to make the presentation. After a number of tributes, Fr Sean said he was “delighted to accept the award and proud to receive such an honour and he had very much enjoyed his work for the lifeboat”.  An enjoyable evening was had by all with music provided by Sean O Se  and Roibeard O’Dwyer.