As regular as the tide, the helicopters of the Air Corp and the Coastguard come and go. The Air Corp service, which acts as an air ambulance for Connacht, was introduced when Roscommon Hospital’s Accident & Emergency service was downgraded. The coastguard helicopters on the west coat are based in Shannon and Sligo and provide search and rescue (as well as recovery) services both on sea and on land (including fellow hill-walkers).We live near University College Hospital in Galway, and since we moved into our house, I’m astounded at the frequency of the helicopter landings – there seems to be a visit from at least one of the helicopters almost every day. In almost all cases, some poor soul set about their daily routine, little guessing that it would culminate in an airborne descent into the centre of Galway in the back of a helicopter – their well-being (and perhaps their lives) dependent on a speedy delivery to the hospital. The Shannon and Sligo coastguard helicopters each performed over 300 missions last year, in all weather. The video above was taken on a sunny, clear morning in March – I’ve seen the helicopters take off and land in all weathers – day and night. When their help is needed, the weather doesn’t matter.