A group of nine people had to be rescued from a island off the coast of Galway this week after they were caught by the tide.
The group became stranded on Monday afternoon on Omey Island, which is located near Claddaghduff in western Connemara.
The tidal island is about 1km from the mainland and can be reached on foot or by car across a stretch of sand when the tide is low. However, weather conditions were poor and the nine people got cut off by the tide and unable to return by foot.
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They contacted the coastguard and Clifden RNLI's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched around 4pm under the command of volunteer helm, Kenny Flaherty.
Despite heavy rain, the nine people stranded on the island were found to be well and in good spirits. The lifeboat crew made two trips to return the whole group back to the shore at Claddaghduff.
Clifden RNLI lifeboat operations officer John Brittain said: "We would remind locals and visitors to always check tide times and heights before venturing out and to always make sure you have enough time to return safely.
"If you do get cut off by the tide, it is important to stay where you are and not attempt a return to shore on your own as that may be when the danger presents and you get into difficulty.
"Always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard."
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