The new Shannon Class Clogherhead Lifeboat which will be officially named 'Michael O'Brien' and blessed on Sunday August 31.

Saturday August 31 will be a big day for the Clogherhead Lifeboat with the naming ceremony and service of dedication for their new state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat which will be called Michael O’Brien.

Huge crowds are expected in the village for the event and the RNLI has published a parking plan which they will implement on the day.

“RNLI personnel normally work off nautical charts, but a road map is required on this occasion” a spokesperson joked.

There will be several parking locations in operation for those attending the ceremony.

• Denis Cemetery – both in the car park of the cemetery and in the field across the road.
• In the field opposite the Ashling Caravan Park
• Callystown National School
• Reserved parking (including shuttle bus) for those with accessibility issues is available off Callystown Road, past Clogherhead Garda Station on the right hand side.
• Harbour Road – an overflow car park will operate along the Harbour road if necessary.

NOTE: Parking will not be available on the approaches or adjacent to the Lifeboat Station.

The ceremony is at 3.00 pm but the organisers are asking people to get there early and to remember that it is a 5-7 minute walk from the various car parking areas.

The ceremony will be fully accessible and there are toilets available in the lifeboat station and also at the Celtic Adventure Centre.

“We are delighted to welcome all our guests to the Naming Ceremony” the RNLI spokesperson said. “We would particularly like to thank the Garda Síochána and the Clogherhead branch of the Irish Coastguard for their cooperation in organising this event.

“Again we thank all those who contributed in any way to make this day possible.”