Crosshaven Community Remembers Those Lost At Sea

On St. Stephen’s Day, members of Crosshaven & Ballycotton RNLI, the Coastguard, fisherman and members of the Crosshaven community gathered at the Hugh Coveny Pier to remember fishermen last at sea to raise money for the Lost At Sea Tragedies charity.

The 26^th of December is the national day of remembrance for those lost at sea, and memorial ceremonies like the one in Crosshaven took place across the country.

Lost At Sea Tragedies, or LASTs is a charity that was founded in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford by Mr. Noel McDonagh in 2013. Noel, who started his career as a fisherman witnessed many tragedies, lost family and friends to the sea. Following the devastating story of the Bolger brothers, Mr. McDonagh established the charity to support grieving families emotionally and financially while also promoting safety at sea and raising awareness in the fishing community.

Crosshaven & Ballycotton RNLI with Crosshaven Coast Guard members, alongside Stephanie Hyde (Organiser) at the Lost at Sea Remembrance Ceremony, Hugh Coveney Pier Crosshaven, 26th December 2025.

Crosshaven, a strong fishing village has been remembering those lost at sea since 2018.

In 2017, Mr. McDonagh handed the charity over to new trustees. Event organiser, Stephanie Hyde said “Noel is and remains a credit to the Irish fishing community for all his charity work and knowledge of the fishing industry. All funds we have are 100% from donations and we are a non-governmental purely voluntary charity.”

At the Crosshaven remembrance, ten fisherman are remembered including Emile Le Brune, Corentine Le Floch, Johnny McCoombe, Stan Tait, Fergal Walsh, Joseph Donnard, Tony Wrenne, Mattie Byrne, Jerry Hegarty and Brendan Hegarty.

On their way back to Ballycotton, members of the Ballycotton RNLI lay a wreath at Roches Point to honour the late Fergal Walsh.

For more information on LAST, please see lostatsea.ie.