A chairde - As many of you know, the RNLI has been incredibly good to me. When Speck came off her mooring and washed up on the rocks in 2022, it was the Youghal RNLI who hauled her off the beach. But their work goes far beyond helping out us weekend sailors — they’re also the ones who respond when professional seafarers are in danger offshore.

For my friends in the U.S., worth knowing that where the Coast Guard is a government agency, the RNLI is a charity - more like a volunteer fire department. Its crews are volunteers, and every rescue relies on donations to fund the boats, gear, and training needed to save lives at sea.

This winter, I signed up for a 2km charity swim across the mouth of Dungarvan Harbour - never expecting to be picked.

Well, here we are. I'll be continuing a family tradition of participation in the event. Training has been going well, and I’m looking forward to the challenge!

If you can spare any contribution, large or small, I’d be hugely grateful