The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) saved more than 1,160 lives at sea and on inland waterways in 2005, according to its annual rescue statistics.
Volunteer RNLI crews launched 916 times last year from 43 stations around the island, rescuing an average of 22 people each week.
Howth Lifeboat station topped the persons-rescued table, with the station's two lifeboats accounting for 59 people rescued.
Colin Williams, RNLI divisional inspector for Ireland, said: "Once again our annual figures for launches and rescues in Ireland show the increase in demand for our services and show that more and more people are using the sea for leisure activities."
The RNLI's funding drive - entitled "train one, save many" - aims to raise over €14 million over the next five years.
According to the service it costs €1,460 a year to train every crew member, and 90 per cent of new recruits come from non-maritime backgrounds.