THE community gathered  in Courtmacsherry at the weekend to celebrate 200 years of lifesaving service by the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat.

The gala banquet, held under a marquee on the lawns of the Courtmacsherry Hotel, was the pinnacle of a year-long programme of bicentenary events and was a fitting tribute to the generations of volunteer crews who have launched in all weathers to protect lives at sea since 1825.

At the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 Gala Dinner at the Courtmacsherry Hotel, Courtmacsherry were locals (left to right): Richard and Fiona O'Flynn, Gillian Nunan and Phillippe Orsatti. Photo: Martin Walsh.

The event was sold out well in advance and was exceptionally well attended, creating a wonderful atmosphere of pride, gratitude and celebration.

Guests enjoyed an evening of dining, music and camaraderie as the community came together to honour the lifeboat’s extraordinary legacy.

Billy Adams, owner of The Courtmacsherry Hotel, said: ‘It was a huge honour for us to play a central role in these historic commemorations. The lifeboat is at the heart of our community and its crews have shown incredible bravery and selflessness over two centuries. To be able to support and celebrate their legacy in such a memorable way is something we are truly proud of.’

Christopher O'Sullivan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his wife Sarah Redmond at the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 Gala Dinner in the Courtmacsherry Hotel, Courtmacsherry. Photo: Martin Walsh.

The bicentenary year was filled with a diverse programme of events, including parades, exhibitions, historical talks, open days, cultural performances and commemorations.

Highlights included the St Patrick’s Day sea and street parades featuring the Shannon Class Lifeboat Val Adnams and a full-scale replica of the first lifeboat, The Plenty, as well as the June Bank Holiday Weekend of events culminating in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.

Saturday’s banquet brought this remarkable year to a close, ensuring that the story of courage, dedication and community spirit shown by Courtmacsherry’s lifeboat crews across two centuries was celebrated in the most fitting way possible.

As the RNLI’s oldest station in Ireland, Courtmacsherry Lifeboat has launched on nearly 1,000 call-outs since its foundation.

Its proud legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

At the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 Gala Dinner at the Courtmacsherry Hotel, Courtmacsherry were (left to right): Polly Hedderman, Kinsale and Anne Ennos, Courtmacsherry. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Locals enjoying the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 Gala Dinner at the Courtmacsherry Hotel, Courtmacsherry were (left to right): Simon and Fiona Locke with Annette and Gearoid O'Donovan. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Architect and TV presenter Hugh Wallace (left) with Martin Corbett and Butlerstown's Siobhan O'Mahony and Timmy O'Brien at the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 gala dinner at the Courtmacsherry Hotel. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

At the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 Gala Dinner at the Courtmacsherry Hotel, Courtmacsherry were Niamh Hurley, Elaine Sexton, Oonagh O'Donovan, Trish Gannon (all from Courtmacsherry), Siobhan O'Mahony (Butlerstown) and Sarah Redmond (Clonakilty). (Photo: Martin Walsh)

During last Saturday's Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 gala dinner, Crosshaven-based Hugh Tully, representing the RNLI Council of Ireland, presented a framed scroll from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to Brian O'Dwyer, LOM, who accepted on behalf of the Courtmacsherry RNLI. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

Locals Johnny Petch, Pauline Pollard and Paul Finn at the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat 200 gala dinner in the Courtmacsherry Hotel, Courtmacsherry. (Photo: Martin Walsh)