Cushendall bids fond farewell to firefighter Malachy Jamison after 37 years of dedicated service

Cushendall and the wider Glens of Antrim have come together to honour the remarkable career of firefighter and watch commander Malachy Jamison, who this week retires from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) after an extraordinary 37 years of service.

A true son of the Glens, Malachy has spent his entire life in Cushendall, his story woven into the fabric of the local community.

From his early days working in the Thornlea Hotel and St Mary’s Primary School to standing on the front line in life-or-death emergencies, Malachy has embodied the values of dedication, courage, and service.

He joined the NIFRS on 9 August 1988, training initially at Carnlough Fire Station before returning to Cushendall. In January 1990, when the new Cushendall Fire Station opened its doors, Malachy was among the very first crew members to serve there — and now, as he hangs up his helmet, he leaves as the last original member of that pioneering team.

A career marked by courage and compassion

Over nearly four decades, Malachy has responded to hundreds of emergency calls, often in challenging and dangerous conditions. His duties have ranged from tackling house fires and attending road traffic collisions to carrying out search and rescue operations across the Glens, the North Antrim coast, and beyond.

He has been involved in some of the region’s most memorable incidents — including a major gorse fire on Rathlin Island, the devastating blaze at the Northern Counties Hotel in Portrush, and numerous rescues on the rugged Antrim coastline.

Among the moments that have stayed with him are reviving a baby who had stopped breathing and cutting a young woman free from the wreckage of a car crash near Garron Point. Both survived thanks to the swift and decisive actions of Malachy and his crew.

But while the job brought moments of triumph, it also meant facing deeply emotional and difficult situations. Through it all, Malachy’s focus remained on serving his community, no matter the hour or the personal sacrifice.

A family commitment

Firefighting in a rural area is never a solo endeavour — it’s a commitment that extends to the whole family. Malachy’s wife, Kate, and their children Manus, Joanne, and Judith have supported him through countless late-night call-outs and interrupted family occasions.

“It became part of our lives,” friends say, “even down to dinners going cold because the bleeper had gone off.”

That tradition of service now runs in the family. Malachy’s son, Manus, and his grandson, Matthew, are both retained firefighters — ensuring that the Jamison name will remain part of Cushendall’s fire service for years to come.

A voice of gratitude

Reflecting on his retirement, Malachy said:

“I joined to serve the people of Cushendall and the Glens, and I’ve been honoured to do that for nearly four decades. There have been tough times, but nothing beats the feeling of saving a life. This community has given me so much, and it’s been a privilege to give something back.”

A lasting legacy in the Glens

From the shores of Red Bay to the rolling Green Glens of Antrim, Malachy is known not just as a firefighter, but as a trusted neighbour and friend — someone the community could rely on in moments of crisis. His leadership, bravery, and compassion have inspired generations, both inside and outside the fire service.

As Cushendall marks the end of an era, his legacy will live on — in the lives he’s saved, the families he’s comforted, and the example he’s set for those who follow.

The message from the community is simple but heartfelt: Thank you, Malachy — for the service, the sacrifice, and the years spent keeping us safe.