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 fantastic thanks to the hard work of our volunteer team — and we received so many kind words from visitors. The display of original lamps, equipment, and artifacts from her time in service was a particular highlight. A huge thank-you Ian McLaren for donating these items, they really bring the history of the Dunleary to life. It was a joy to see people so engaged with the vessel’s history and to hear stories, memories, and questions.

Our information boards were also a hit, giving people context on the lifeboat’s origins and service, as well as the restoration journey so far.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of The Heritage Council, whose Community Heritage Grant will enabl us to purchase a protective cover for the vessel — helping to preserve her for future generations to enjoy.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, or helped spread the word. Events like this remind us why we do what we do — and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Dunleary again soon.