Pete's Irish Lighthouses

The Tuskar. Photo by Richard Cummins I'm currently researching pre-1900 lightkeepers, which is quite a thankless task, as records are few and far between. It seems that, at most lights, nothing newsworthy happened for many years; as a result, most potted biographies of keepers are along the lines of ' Served on the Fastnet 1871 and 1875. Moved to Loop Head some time before 1880. Transferred to Ardglass about 1883' and so on, which doesn't make for interesting reading, unless the person was your ancestor. However, I recently came across 'an old friend,' whom I encountered while writing my Eagle Island book, called Rickard Hamilton and detailing an account of a shipwreck on the Tuskar Rock. To be honest, a musical could be written about Rickard alone (though it would be hard to come up with a short, snappy title) but I will confine myself to the six years and four months that he spent on the Tuskar between 1880 and 1886. Rickard Hamilton (1845-1932) Like my broth...

  Eeragh from Inishmore c2019? The following article appeared in the Irish Times of Saturday August 25th 1973 and was written by Elgy Gillespie, who was, and still is, a freelance journalist. My favourite part is, when questioned about her impromptu visit, she answered that they had written for permission 'and it hadn't been denied us,' which the keepers seemed to accept! Its a very good piece and I've copied it in full. Eeragh c.1903. Note the lush vegetation

  Drogheda North light. Photo Richard Cummins From the Drogheda Independent, Saturday 31st January 1914 The death of Mr Thomas Sween(e)y, James St, took place with tragic suddenness on Wednesday evening. Deceased, who had attained to a ripe age – over 70 years – was out that evening, walking along the Mornington Road with his son, Joseph, a man about 40 years old. This son was to leave Drogheda the following day, being home only for the sad purpose of burying his mother. Father and son went for a walk as far as Mornington lighthouse and, on the return journey, when nearing Mr Doherty's house, the old man complained of weakness, and in a moment or so became semi-conscious. Clerical and medical aid were immediately summoned, and Rev Fr Glynn CC, St Mary's, who arrived with great promptitude, was in time to administer the last Sacraments to the dying man. Dr PJ Murray arrived shortly afterwards and pronounced life extict. Deceased was formerly lighthouse keeper at Mornington; he ...

A totally gratuitous photo of Inishgort lighthouse in Clew Bay. Photo the Western People ' The public will sympathise with the hard fate of assistant keepers in lighthouses. Many of them live on desolate rocks, far out at sea, unvisited for weeks or months, and separated from wife and children. They must be wakeful all night, and keep the lights ever burning which guide or warn the mariner. Lonely lives they lead, with the wild waves ever beating and the storms raging around them. 'They are renumerated by two shillings and five pence a day, and out of this, they must support their wives and families. They did appeal to the Irish Light Commissioners for an increase of salary, and the commissioners munificently promised £1 10s annually to those who had passed five years service, and who had been recommended by the inspector. Thirty shillings annually is very nearly one penny a day, so that the lighthouse-keeper, after five years service ands a recommendation, may receive 2s 6d da...