In October, Ballyglass’s new D class lifeboat, the Clann Lir, was officially named. It was named by Sophie Reilly from Belmullet National School – who won a competition judged by station volunteers – after the Celtic legend of the children of Lir. The Clann Lir is funded by a donation from the Central Bank of Ireland, whose Secretary General Derek Moran joined Sophie for the ceremony. It joins all-weather lifeboat Bryan and Gordon – and replaces The Western, which served the station for 10 years, launching 58 times.