Heritage Council Grant For Historic Blackrock Lifeboat

VisitBlackrock is delighted to announce that the Dudley Lifeboat project has been awarded a Community Heritage Grant by the Heritage Council of Ireland. This vital funding will support a feasibility study into the future preservation and potential restoration of the historic lifeboat.

The Dudley Lifeboat, an important part of Blackrock’s maritime heritage, once served as a beacon of safety and resilience on our coast. This grant marks a significant first step in exploring how the vessel can be conserved, celebrated and potentially made accessible to the public as a local tourism/heritage asset.

PRO Jason McGee expressed his gratitude:

“We’re thrilled to have been selected in such a competitive round. This support from the Heritage Council gives us the opportunity to assess the lifeboat’s condition and explore how it might once again take pride of place in our community.”

Only one-third of applicants to this year’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme were successful, underscoring the importance and potential of the Dudley Lifeboat project. The feasibility study, to be undertaken in the coming months, will examine restoration logistics, heritage value and options for public engagement and display.

The Dudley Lifeboat was brought back to Blackrock from Wexford in 2018 and is in storage waiting a restoration.

Stay tuned to VisitBlackrock for updates as this exciting project develops. Please support our Crowdfunder at the link below.