The RNLI and GAA team up

Two RNLI lifeboat crews in Cork have joined up with a local GAA club to feature in a film promoting the prevention of drowning.

Lifeboat crews from Courtmacsherry and Ballycotton RNLI partnered with members of Barryroe GAA for the 1-minute film which will be shown on the big screen in Croke Park before the semi-final on Sunday between Limerick and Galway.

The film was made to promote the partnership between the RNLI and the GAA and to show how both organisations share the same values of community and volunteerism.

On average, 111 people drown in Ireland each year and the work being done through the partnership aims to give everyone the knowledge of what they can do to both keep safe or help someone in trouble on the water.

One of the volunteers to feature in the film is Vincent O’Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Deputy Launching Authority.

A volunteer in both the RNLI and the GAA, Vincent hopes the film will encourage more people to get involved in their community and think about water safety.

Vincent said: “I’m very proud to be involved in the film and that it shows what is good about volunteering and local communities.”

Vincent continued: “Many of us in our local RNLI are also involved with the GAA, they go together and it’s a wonderful partnership.

“I hope people will want to get involved in their community and learn more about water safety,” he added.

RNLI Trustee and Coxswain, Paddy McLaughlin has been involved with the partnership from the beginning and has seen it evolve over the past few years.

Paddy said: “When we approached the GAA with the idea of working together to prevent drowning, they supported it straight way.”

He added: “Since 2017, RNLI volunteers have been giving hundreds of talks to GAA clubs and have been invited to events and match days to promote water safety.

“This is a lifesaving partnership and with so many people involved in the GAA on this island, we are getting water safety advice and awareness talked about in our communities,” Paddy concluded.

The film was made on location at Courtmacsherry lifeboat station and Barryroe GAA club by Banjoman Productions.

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland, with 333 GAA clubs within a 10km radius of them.

The video is currently available to view, share and download at rnli.org.

For more information on the partnership or to request a water safety talk, email water_safety@rnli.org.uk, or visit rnli.org.