The massive project was undertaken by the volunteers at Lough Ree RNLI.
Years of fundraising will culminate this weekend with the official launch of a new state-of-the-art lifeboat station in the midlands.
Built at a cost of €1.2 million on a site donated by Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, the brand new Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat station has taken just over two years to construct at Coosan Point in Athlone.
The state-of-the-art facility provides a training base for the volunteer crew and immediate access the lake for the charity’s lifeboat.
Along with celebrating the volunteer crew's 10th anniversary this Saturday at 2pm, their new lifeboat is also being officially named in honour of Tara Scougall, who had an active life on the water before her death from cancer aged 43.
Tara was introduced to the water by her late father John and while sharing his passion for boating, she also for a period, ran an online yachting and boating magazine. An avid traveller and explorer in her professional life, Tara was one of a Microsoft team who were responsible for the creation of Expedia.
Next Saturday, Lough Ree RNLI look forward to welcoming Tara’s mother Diana, her husband James and her children Eleanor and James to Athlone for the official service of dedication for the lifeboat named in her honour.
RNLI Lifeboat Administration Officer, Damien Delaney is paying tribute to those who donated to the project:
The volunteers at Lough Ree RNLI are looking forward to welcoming supporters, friends and the general public to the event on Saturday.
Due to confined road access to the venue, a shuttle bus service will be provided from the car park at Coosan Church to Coosan Point starting at 1pm.
General motor access to Coosan Point will be restricted on Saturday afternoon following safety advice from An Garda Síochána.
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