The annual Fishermens’ open-air Mass was held on the pier at 12.00 p.m.  and immediately afterwards Blessing of the Boats ceremony took place.  Local Clergy, Rev Canon P. Sheehan, P.P., Fr D. O’Connor C.C., and visiting Church of Ireland minister Rev. K. Ruddock and his wife Mrs Ruddock boarded the lifeboat. Representatives of Mna na Mara, Mrs M. Downey-Harrington, Mrs R. O’Driscoll, Mrs P. O’Neill,  Mrs M. O’Connor, Mrs M. Cameron-Lunny, and Mrs A. O’Sullivan were all welcomed aboard by Coxswain B. O’Driscoll, along with altar servers F. O’Driscoll and J. Hurley. Members of the lifeboat shore committee included Station Honorary Secretary, Mr Donal O’Driscoll,  Deputy Launching Authority Mr J. Turner  and his wife Mrs C. Turner.

  On leaving the pier, Canon Sheehan blessed the boats as the lifeboat slowly passed by all the fleet at the pier, in the harbour, and at Dinish Island. The lifeboat then proceeded to the harbour’s mouth where it stopped in calm conditions and Canon Sheehan and the Rev. Ruddock recited readings and prayers for all lost at sea and especially for those from the home port of Castletownbere. Then, members of Mna na Mara stepped forward to the bow of the lifeboat and laid a wreath in water.

The lifeboat was crewed by B. O’Driscoll (Cox), M. Martin-Sullivan, B. Gonnelly, P. Stevens, J.T. O’Sullivan, and M. Murphy. Speaking after the ceremony, Mrs R. O’Driscoll expressed her gratitude to Castletownbere Lifeboat for making itself available.

Station Honorary Press Officer:   Mr Paul J.  Stevens

Tel.: (w) 027-70935  Fax.: (w)  027-70788   Tel.: (h)  027-70729  Fax : (h)   027-71942

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