Heritage Council Grant 2026 awarded for Dunleary’s restoration
Heritage Council Grant 2026 awarded for the next phase of the Dunleary’s restoration We are delighted to announce that the Dunleary Heritage Project has once again been awarded funding under The Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2026. This year’s grant will assist with the next phase of restoring the Dunleary. Funding will support the […]
Thank You to the Heritage Council
Thank You to the Heritage Council The Dunleary Lifeboat Project is delighted to announce that we have once again been awarded funding through the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme. This continued support is invaluable in helping us preserve one of Ireland’s most significant pieces of maritime heritage and ensuring that the historic Dunleary Lifeboat […]
Heritage Week 2026
Heritage Week 2026 The Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Project is delighted to once again take part in National Heritage Week by opening our restoration site to the public for a free Open Day. Join us on Sunday 23 August 2026, from 12.30pm to 3.00pm, at the Public Boatyard, Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire, and discover the fascinating […]
A Great Day for the Dunleary – Heritage Week 2025
A Great Day for the Dunleary – Heritage Week 2025 We were delighted to welcome visitors to Coal Harbour on Saturday 23rd August as part of Heritage Week 2025. Over the course of the afternoon visitors joined us to explore the story of the Dunleary lifeboat and see the progress on her restoration. The boat looked […]
Open to all – Heritage Week 2025
A Family’s Legacy: The Dunleary and Dr. William McLaren
A Family’s Legacy: The Dunleary and Dr. William McLaren At the Dunleary Lifeboat Project, we’re privileged to uncover and preserve the stories that make up the rich history of this remarkable vessel. One such story comes from Ian McLaren, whose father, Dr. William McLaren, owned the Dunleary from the early 1950s until 1969. Ian’s recollections […]
Great News for the Dunleary!
Great News for the Dunleary! We are delighted to announce that our restoration project for the historic lifeboat Dunleary has been awarded funding from the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2025. This funding will allow us to purchase and install a durable protective cover for the Dunleary, safeguarding her from Ireland’s harsh coastal weather. […]
Our First Milestone
It has been quite a journey since we first brought the ex-RNLB Dunleary home to Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Since then, our dedicated team has been tirelessly working behind the scenes to emphasize the significance of this lifeboat to our town’s heritage and our islands’ maritime legacy. Securing funding to kick start the restoration project has […]
A Brief History of Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat Station
A Brief History of Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat Station The story of organised lifesaving in Dún Laoghaire stretches back more than two centuries. From humble beginnings at Sandycove to the modern all-weather Trent class lifeboat, the station has borne witness to courage, tragedy, and extraordinary service. Early Years 1803 – The first lifeboat for the area […]
The Service History of RNLB Dunleary (ON 658)
The Service History of RNLB Dunleary (ON 658) The RNLB Dunleary was a 45ft Watson-class motor lifeboat, built in 1919 by S.E. Saunders at Cowes. She was funded by the Civil Service, Post Office and British Telecom Lifeboat Fund, at a cost of £8,000. To accommodate her, the boathouse and slipway at Kingstown (now Dún […]