The local funds were raised thanks to the Write by the Sea group which holds an annual ‘Write by the Sea’ festival in Kilmore Quay while the sponsorship by way of clothing came from the Abbie’s Ball fundraiser held in memory of Abbie Troy.

The first book bearing the Write by the Sea imprint was published in January, 2019. The book is called Sea Fever and is based primarily on personal interviews the author Jackie Hayden conducted with members of the Kilmore Quay fishing community. The committee of the Write by the Sea were delighted to donate €750 from the sale of the Sea Fever books at the launch night in January to Kilmore Quay RNLI whose volunteers are always on call to protect all who go to sea in our local waters.

Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat personnel benefited from a kind act of sponsorship from the Troy family. Elaine, Chloe and Eva ran a fundraising ball in memory of their daughter and sister Abbie Troy who sadly passed in February 2016 at the tender age of 16. Abbie had a unique idea and design to portray her name, the letter A and a bee.

Aidan Bates, Kilmore Quay RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘We are extremely grateful to both the Write by the Sea committee and Abbie’s family for their generosity to the RNLI. The funds raised from the festival will now go towards helping our volunteers continue their good work in helping to save lives at sea. And our fundraisers and crew at the lifeboat station are delighted to have Abbie’s signature in her memory embroidered on the sleeves of their new jackets and shirts.

Presenting the cheque to Fundraising chairperson Johnny Moore is Write by the Sea Chairperson Lucy Moore, Jackie Hayden (Author); Derek Burke (Committee Write be the Sea); Sylvia Kehoe (Treasurer Write by the Sea) at Kilmore Quay lifeboat station. Pic; RNLI/Kilmore Quay.