[5][6] During World War II the British Air Ministry was concerned about aircraft coming down after flying in from the Atlantic but were unable to deploy rescue launches around the Irish coast as the country was neutral.

It was agreed that the RNLI could station additional lifeboats in Ireland but was unable to build new so modified motor fishing boats from 1942.

The old lifeboat station was bought back by the RNLI and modified to house the ILB, the work being completed in May 1992.

[4] The boathouse has covered accommodation for the ILB and launch equipment along with a gift shop on the ground floor.

[10] Between 1865 and 1925 the station was home to sailing lifeboats of the RNLI's standard self-righting design and equipped with 12 oars.