Brendan Grace has an abiding admiration for everyone involved with the RNLI and the rescue services. Ireland’s favourite comedian for close on five decades is doing three shows in association with the RNLI during his current short Irish summer tour.

“I have tremendous respect for these people. They put their lives on the line without question and do everything they can to rescue others in all emergency situations,” says Brendan. “They are the bravest of people heading out in all kinds of weather conditions to save lives and bring people safely home.

“I am also aware that a lot of people with the best will in the world often throw caution to the wind when it comes to going out on water. I spend a good while of the year in the Ballina-Killaloe area here on the borders of Tipperary and Clare beside Lough Derg and the Shannon, so I would always have an awareness of water and the need for great care at all times.”

Brendan recalls his own near-miss when it came to matters of the sea. It was back in the mid-1980s when he was invited by his good friend, former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey, to accompany him and family and crew on board Charlie’s yacht, Celtic Mist, on a trip from Cork to Inishvickillane in the Blasket Islands.

The Celtic Mist hit rocks at Mizen Head and sunk during a major storm and a big rescue operation was put in place. Mr Haughey and all on board were rescued from the rocks by members of the Baltimore Lifeboat crew. The incident in October 1985 created headlines around the world because of the high profile of Charlie Haughey in those times.

“Charlie was a dear friend and he invited me to join them on the trip. I was booked to go on the trip, which was meant to sail a week earlier, but the weather changed at the last minute and they decided to postpone the trip for a few days.

“I was unable to join them the following week as I had a gig in the diary and had to opt out. It was a huge shock when I heard the breaking news about the Celtic Mist going down but a massive relief to know that all had survived the ordeal.

“Hearing all the stories later about the rescue and how the RNLI people worked so professionally to take everyone out of harm’s way gave me an enduring respect for these special and very brave people.

“I have a tremendous feeling of goodwill for all involved with the various rescue services and I am especially delighted to be associated with these fund-raisers for the RNLI,” states Brendan.

Last Saturday night, he performed the first of his three shows in association with the RNLI at the Lough Derg Yacht Club.

Tonight, Thursday 26 July, he will do a show in Halla na Féile out on Inishmór on the Aran islands, and this is sure to be a very special night for Brendan and the folks on Aran. “It has been a good few years since my last journey out there and it was a very special show. The céad míle fáilte is truly special and we’ll have a great night there.”

The Achill Island Hotel, in association with the Achill RNLI, will host the Brendan Grace show on Friday 27 July, starting at 8pm.