It was the end of an era for Aran’s lifeboat volunteers when long serving Coxswain John O’Donnell retired last week – after 21 years saving lives at sea off the west coast.

Born and raised on Inis Mór on the Aran Islands, John has been Coxswain at the lifeboat station since 2003.

And for his last exercise at the helm on Tuesday of last week, the lifeboat was joined by members of the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 115, from Shannon.

His departure came just days before the long serving General Practitioner to the Aran Islands, Dr Marion Broderick, herself retired after 42 years.

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