IT was a momentous day for Fenit and the RNLI as a member of the British royal family came to the village on Tuesday.
HRH The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, arrived by helicopter during a beautiful sunny afternoon, seeing the area at its best.
The Duke of Kent has been President of the RNLI since 1969 and was on a tour of Irish stations including the inshore station at Dromineer in Co Tipperary and the coastal stations at Kilrush in Co Clare and at Fenit.
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At around 4.15pm his helicopter landed nearby and he was driven to the station where children from St Brendan’s NS Fenit, Spa NS and 8th Kerry Fenit Cub Scouts lined up to welcome him.
He was then taken on a tour of the facilities by Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Gerard O’Donnell. He met the crew of the Fenit Lifeboat and was shown around the boathouse before a reception was held where he presented long-service awards to three staff — Gerard O’Donnell, Tom McCormack and Peter Moore.
The Duke of Kent was also presented with framed photo — taken by local photographer Jim O’Mahony — of the statue of St Brendan looking out on the Atlantic, which watches over Fenit pier.
He chatted briefly to the schoolchildren on his way back to his car and off he went to the helicopter. A brief visit, but one which will be remembered by all at Fenit Lifeboat. Scroll down for photos…