Leo Houlihan grew up near an RNLI station on Valentia Island and absorbed lessons from the sea. His family’s maritime involvement spans generations, including a grandfather who served as a coxswain and an uncle who worked as a mechanic before joining the crew. Leo followed the same path, joining the Valentia lifeboat as a volunteer in 1988 and becoming full-time in January 1993. He began on the 18-knot Arun-class lifeboat Margaret Francis Love and later served after Valentia received a new boathouse and Ireland’s first 25-knot Severn-class lifeboat. Callouts were frequent, and he valued returning loved ones home, even when rescue was not possible. He also helped move the Severn-class lifeboat to Buckie for refit in 2006, traveling via multiple islands and ports.
"“Families would come to the station afterwards to thank us for our efforts. It was their gratitude, strength and dignity is something that will always stay with me. Being able to bring loved one's home meant so much for those families,” Leo said."
"“Leo first joined the Valentia Island lifeboat as a volunteer in 1988 before taking up the role full-time in January 1993.”"
"“By 1996, Valentia welcomed a state-of-the-art new boathouse along with Ireland's first 25-knot Severn-class lifeboat.”"
"“He began his career aboard Valentia's 18-knot Arun-class lifeboat, ' Margaret Francis Love', operating from the station's old boathouse.”"
Read at Irish Independent
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