Search

15 Sept 2025

Arranmore RNLI crew receive award for saving life of kayaker

This Saturday, September 20, at 4pm, at Arranmore lifeboat station, Malachy Doyle will present JJ O’Donnell and Evan O’Donnell with certificates of commendation from the RNLI

Arranmore RNLI crew receive award for saving life of kayaker

JJ O’Donnell and Evan O’Donnell

Reporter:

Nora Flanagan, Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer

15 Sept 2025 1:33 PM

Email:

news@donegallive.ie

Two young volunteer crew members from the Arranmore RNLI are being recognised for their part in the September 2023 rescue of kayaker Malachy Doyle.
JJ O’Donnell and Evan O’Do]nnell boarded the Y boat (rigid inflatable boat capable of searching in confined areas) in the search for missing kayaker Malachy Doyle. Following an extensive search by the Arranmore RNLI and several local boats, Malachy was discovered in a cave on Owey Island.
With only the smallest window of opportunity due to the large swell entering the cave, the two boys went into the cave where they located Malachy on a ledge and brought him to safety on board the all-weather lifeboat. This Saturday, September 20, at 4pm at Arranmore lifeboat station, Malachy will present JJ and Evan with certificates of commendation from the RNLI.
Malachy is an award-winning writer for children, living on CRUIT island. He is an active hiker and runner. In his own words, Malachy had been a keen kayaker until the day a freak wave tossed him into the water, and he found himself trapped in a deep cave and in dire need of rescue. After 30 minutes in the water, followed by three frightening hours on a narrow ledge in the cave his sense of relief at seeing his rescuers was immense.
Coxswain Sean O’Donnell, who was coxswain on the day of the rescue, said: "This recognition is well deserved for JJ and Evan, their competence and professionalism are a credit to themselves, their family and the extensive training all crew members receive from the RNLI in order to save lives at sea. If you see anyone in difficulty on the water, please dial 999/112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Most Popular

Sponsored Content

Multimedia

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now
Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Register Here
Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

  • Carlow Live
  • Clare Live
  • Derry Now
  • Donegal Live
  • Éire Bheo
  • Inish Live
  • Ireland Live
  • Kildare Live
  • Kildare Now
  • Kilkenny Live
  • Laois Live
  • Leitrim Live
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Live
  • Longford Live
  • Louth Live
  • Mayo Live
  • Nenagh Live
  • Offaly Live
  • Tipperary Live
  • Waterford Live

    • Iconic Print Titles

  • Clonmel Nationalist
  • County Derry Post
  • Derry News
  • Donegal Democrat
  • Donegal Post
  • Dundalk Democrat
  • Homes in Donegal
  • Inish Times
  • Kilkenny People
  • Leinster Express
  • Leinster Leader
  • Leitrim Observer
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Leader
  • Longford Leader
  • Mayo News
  • Midland Tribune
  • Tipperary Star
  • Tullamore Tribune

    • This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

    © 2025 Iconic Media