Tommy Cecil was a fisherman, campaigner, writer, historian and diver, who dedicated his life to preserving, researching and documenting the Maritime History around Rathlin. He established Rathlin's International Dive Centre in 1991, bringing hundreds of divers from around the world every year Tommy also played the lead role in the rescue of Richard Branson on the 3rd July 1987 when his balloon The Virgin Flyer ditched off the North Coast of the island at the end of his transatlantic crossing. In grateful recognition of this, Branson contributed £25,000 to the island in acknowledgement of Tommy's efforts.
