Cork Public Museum to receive donation from the family of Cork hero

Cork Public Museum is to receive the donation of a highly prized collection of medals from the family of a Cork man who was awarded by the RNLI for his exceptional bravery during one of the country’s most daring sea rescues.

Patrick Sliney joined Ballycotton Lifeboats in 1910, where he gave almost four decades of service.  During that time, he participated in the rescue of 114 people and received gold, silver and bronze RNLI medals for gallantry.

He was awarded the gold medal for his role in the 1936 rescue of the Daunt Rock, a lightship with a crew of 8 men that had run into difficulty off the Ballycotton coast.

Mr Sliney and the crew managed just 3 hours sleep and went 25 hours without food during the 49 hours it took to rescue the Daunt Rock crew.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Mick Finn said: “The people of Cork are honoured to receive this donation from the Sliney family. The Daunt Rock rescue has gone down as one of the best remembered rescues in RNLI and Irish maritime history”.

An event will be held tomorrow, Friday July 27th at 11 a.m. to commemorate the donation by the Sliney Family of Mr. Patrick Sliney’s medals.

It is hoped to eventually create an exhibition at Cork Public Museum to commemorate Patrick Sliney, his family and the invaluable service and history of the Ballycotton Lifeboats.

For more information, contact Dan Breen at the Cork Public Museum on 021-4270679 or on museum@corkcity.ie.