The inauguration of Inishtrahull lighthouse 8th October 1958
July 2024 pic of the new light on Inishtrahull
The new lighthouse on Inishtrahull was the first major lighthouse constructed in Ireland since Rathlin West. Smaller lights such as Blackhead in Clare had been added to the list but Inishtrahull was the first large light to be built since 1916. There would only be one more – the Kish.
I have no idea where I obtained the following little presentation from but it may well have belonged to somebody who took part in the 'Hull's inauguration ceremony on the 8th October 1958, nearly seventy years ago. It took the form of a little booklet with the programme of events, three photos, evidently recently taken, and a prepared potted history of the light.
To be fair, I'd have loven to be a part of that trip, provided they had some Jaffa cakes as part of the afternoon tea. Unfortunately, to quote a line from a Ponytails song of the time, why was it my fate/ to be born too late?
A couple of points about the itinerary. Around 1880, it was the custom for the wife of the principal keeper to light a new lamp for the first time, a nod to the real power behind the throne. Evidently this had been done away with by the enlightened times of the 1950s. Also, of course, there is no mention of the keepers there, nor their wives, who had probably been up all night preparing the Marmite sandwiches, slicing up pork pies and opening tins of bully beef.
The Granuaile was not of course the present (2000) ILT, nor the previous (1970-2000) one but the 1948-1970 boat, built by Inglis & co of Glasgow.
Evidently aerial photographs!
This was how the ceremony was reported in the Belfast Telegraph the following day: -
I think the amazing thing about this lighthouse was that it was constructed in six weeks! The optic incidentally was by Stone Chance not Stone Change, as mentioned in the article.
Hi I have just found out that my grandfather was a keeper on Inishtrahull on the 1926 census later that year he took a post as principal keeper on the Fastnet. From the top to the bottom of Ireland. Love your stuff here but I am desperate to get his record of postings. Born in 1877 he joined the service in 1901. His name was Andrew Kilgallen and my email is biddymarray@aol.com. Can someone please tell me how i can get a record of service we have do many questions that would answer
ReplyDeleteBiddy, that email address is not working for me.
DeleteAnyway, many thanks for your post. Always delighted to get mail from the descendant of a keeper !Firstly, in order to get your grandfather's service record, you need to email Irish Lights on info@irishlights.ie and ask for Andrew Kilgallon's service record, telling them that his service number was 180.
He was born 22 Feb 1877 at Rosses Point, Sligo. His father was a pilot, bringing ships safely into Sligo harbour. but later it seems became a lightkeeper. Andrew jnr joined Irish Lights on 1st August 1901 and after only 2 months, was promoted to Assistant Keeper .My records for Andrew are very incomplete. I know he was serving at Inishowen lighthouse on his marriage to Annie McLaughlin in 1905, son Francis was born on Inishtrahull in 1907; Kathleen was born at Inishowen in 1909; and was at Rockabill, co. Dublin, on the 1911 census.Children born at Inishowen in 1914 (son Andrews birth)1915 (daur Margarets birth). 1917 (Hubert) and 1920 (Eileen) and Liam (1923)He was on the Skelligs from August 1916 to at least 1918, so Annie probably stayed at home in Shroove to have her children.As you say, he was on Inishtrahull in 1926.He was made Principal Keeper on 1st October 1926, joining the Fastnet a few days later. He was placed in charge of the Mizen Head station on 27 March 1931 and then went to the Dundalk Pile Light on 17 Jan 1933. As keepers were retired at age 60, he finished up at Dundalk in February 1937. Seemingly, he and Annie stayed in Dundalk thereafter, Annie dying in 1953 and Andrew in 1959.
Best wishes
Pete