Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboatman to escort Rose of Tralee

Crosshaven RNLI’s volunteer crewman, James (Griff) Kelleher has a big date at the upcoming Rose of Tralee Festival.

He has been selected as an escort to a Rose of Tralee contestant. Griff has no idea which of the Rose contestants he will be partnered with, but is eagerly looking forward to his ‘date’.

The 21 year old is an active member of the Crosshaven RNLI crew, having joined the station over a year ago. He recently passed his Tier 1 competent crew assessment and is now qualified to crew the lifeboat on ‘shouts’ or service calls.

Griff Kelleher with fellow Crosshaven RNLI crewmates, Caoimhe Foster, Holly Fegan and Susanne Deane. Pic: Jon Mathers/RNLI

Griff is a manufacturing engineering apprentice at JNJMEDTECH in Ringaskiddy, manufacturing titanium medical implants. In his spare time, Griff can be found on the water as a competitive racing sailor competing in major sailing events in Ireland.

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Philomena Maguire commented ‘This is a major event for Griff, and I am sure he will represent the Rose of Tralee festival and the RNLI well. We wish him all the best for his week of fun in Tralee. The Rose, whoever she is, will love him to bits, and we hope She will visit the lifeboat station with Griff after the festival’.