About The Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company
The Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company is a not-for-profit charitable company, formed by local volunteers in 2015, that aims to advance and promote education, heritage and culture, primarily by the conservation, rehabilitation, maintenance and protection of the historic lifeboat Sir Samuel Kelly.
The lifeboat, which stands in the car park adjacent to the Copelands Marina in Donaghadee, Co Down, has an iconic status locally because of its role in rescuing 33 survivors from the Princess Victoria disaster in January 1953. The lifeboat was stationed at Donaghadee from 1950 until 1976, after which it served in the reserve fleet in Ireland. At the end of its service life it featured in the headlines again seeing action during the ill fated Fastnet Yacht Race disaster in August 1979, whilst stationed at Courtmacsherry Co Cork.
On retirement, the lifeboat was purchased by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and arrived back in Northern Ireland in 1980. Ownership of the boat transferred to the local council run North Down Museum in late 2017. During 2018, the Company signed a loan agreement for the Sir Samuel Kelly with Ards and North Down Borough Council in addition to a lease for the compound in which it is located.
Phase 1: Acquiring title to the lifeboat and providing a temporary shelter
A new temporary shelter for the lifeboat opened in March 2019 and replaced in 2021 after it was damaged in a storm. This will not only reduce the destructive processes of the weathering that jeopardises the lifeboat's future and provide a base for the conservation work to take place, but has allowed the creation of a new public interpretation space for the town to raise the profile of the longer term project, i.e. to exhibit the wider maritime heritage of Donaghadee.
The new space is highly visible from the town's Community Centre and linked to a popular walking route between the harbour and the Commons recreational area. It also overlooks the North Channel, the site of its many rescues. This event marked the completion of Phase 1 of the project.
Phase 2: Boat Conservation and Refurbishment
The aim of Phase 2 is to restore the lifeboat to its 1953 state and bring it up to exhibition condition. At present the external conservation has been completed with the painting completed by a local company proving a lot of their own time to complete the work.
At present there is work ongoing on the external elements of the boat, with painting and work on the restoration of the many dials.
In 2023 a platform was built so visitors can see the boat at deck level and watch the conservation elements as they progress.
2024 saw the addition of an exhibition room to the site. This is where we can display various temporary pop-up exhibitions showcasing other aspects of the wider Donaghadee Heritage.
Exhibition Room
Finally in June 2025, a Gull Mark 1 dinghy was donated to the company. Built in 1956 and designed by Ian Proctor. She sits well just under the bow of the ‘Kelly.
Phase 3 - Permanent home
The aim of Phase 3 is to provide a permanent home for the refurbished Sir Samuel Kelly and other exhibits in a dedicated new Heritage Centre. This concept is in development and conversations are ongoing with the local council.
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