Council unveils Lough Lannagh memorial to R116 crew

TRIBUTE  The plaque inveiled in Lough Lannagh, Castlebar in memory of the crew of R116.

Anton McNulty

The tranquil and picturesque surrounds of Lough Lannagh provided a beautiful setting for the unveiling of a memorial plaque commemorating the crew of Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter R116. The four crew members lost their lives when the helicopter crashed into Blackrock Island in Blacksod Bay on March 14, 2017, while supporting a rescue operation off the Co Mayo coast.
The memorial plaque is located close to the shores of Lough Lannagh in a green area where four cherry blossom trees were planted in June 2017 to honour each of the four who had lost their lives.
Last week, the plaque was unveiled on a glorious spring day, with the four cherry trees in full bloom. It includes the names of each of the crew: Captain Dara Fitzpatrick (45), Captain Mark Duffy (51), winch operator Paul Ormsby (53) and winchman CiarΡn Smith (38).
The location of the memorial garden was specially selected, as it lies under the flight path of rescue helicopters preparing to land at Mayo University Hospital. It was first suggested to members of Mayo County Council by Patricia Conway, Environmental Officer with Castlebar Tidy Towns.
Members of the emergency services, including An Garda SíochΡna, the Civil Defence and the Mayo Fire Service, as well as members of Mayo County Council, all attended, while Fr Dixy Faber performed the blessing.
The plaque was unveiled by the Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, and the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Blackie Gavin, who both paid tribute to the work of the emergency services and the crew of R116.
“This memorial is to express our gratitude to the families of this [crew] who paid the ultimate price when they gave their lives to rescue someone else. No more than that can anyone do. It is fitting that we should remember them,” Cllr Kilcoyne said.
“I spoke on Good Friday to Angela Ormsby, sister of Paul Ormsby, and she wished to express her grateful thanks for putting this simple commemoration together to honour her brother and the other crew. She intends to visit in the summer, and she says it is important not to forget, and to remember that when you are in your bed at night there are other people who are out there trying to save lives,” he added.
Cllr Gavin also paid tribute to the emergency services, saying that they had a very difficult job and that people should pray for them to ensure they always come home safely.
The memorial plaque was made by Ginty Stone. A park bench has also been installed close to the memorial, by Mayo County Council.
Cllr Gavin praised all who were involved in the work, and he paid a special tribute to the council staff and Ms Conway for bringing the memorial garden to fruition. He said it showed the importance of different groups working together and added that he hoped the memorial will be a place that people can enjoy and come to reflect for many years to come.