Wicklow History

1831 A Silver Medal was awarded to Lieut TDJ Dabine RN for rescuing four crew from the wrecked schooner Jane.

1839 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coastguard Owen Jones for saving six men from the wreck of the brigantine Le Nouveau Destin on 27 November 1838.

1857 The RNLI established a lifeboat station and a boathouse was built near the Packet Pier for the 30ft rowing lifeboat.

1865 A new boathouse was built on the north side of the river as the previous site had been washed away.

1887 A new boathouse and slipway were built on the south quay.

1911 The boathouse was adapted for the station’s first motor lifeboat. This was the first motor lifeboat to be sent to Ireland.

1917 One of the most dangerous services at Wicklow occurred on 29 August when the lifeboat launched to the wrecked steamer Lynburn. Three of the steamer’s crew were rescued from a raft that was in the centre of a minefield.

1950 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Edward Kavanagh for rescuing 11 crew from the wrecked motor vessel Cameo.

1957 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1989 The boathouse was adapted and the slipway extended by 24m for the station's new Tyne class lifeboat. Improved crew facilities and a souvenir sales outlet were also provided. The Tyne class lifeboat, ON-1153 Annie Blaker, was placed on service in October.

1995 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established on a summer-only basis with a D class lifeboat. (When did it become all year operation?)

1997 The boathouse was extended to provide housing for the D class lifeboat.

The D class lifeboat, D-518 Inbhear Deas, was placed on service on 23 May.

2006 It was voted that the station be awarded a Vellum to mark its 150th anniversary in 2007.

2007 The D class lifeboat Sheringham Shanty Men was placed on service.

Station honours

At Wicklow lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Bronze Medal 1

Silver Medal 2