Bringing Dad back to the lighthouse

It would be fair to say that the Stocker line of Irish lightkeepers is one of the longest in the country, dating back to at least 1818 when Edward Stocker was first sent down to the Tuskar. Henry Aquila Stocker was on Tory when the Wasp was wrecked in 1884. Former keepers may remember Stephen and Henry and Lenny Stocker, who were all cut from the same cloth.

One of the later Stockers who should really have continued the lightkeeping line was Leonard Vincent Stocker, born at the Baily lighthouse in Dublin on 5th August 1944. He later went on to write a remarkable book called Born on the Edge of White Water, in which he describes his lighthouse life through the eyes of his childhood self.

His father was also called Leonard, though Leonard junior was always called Vincent from the day of his birth. In fact he never realised his name wasn't Vincent until much later in life! Leonard retired from Irish Lights in 1958 and Vincent wanted to sign up when he was old enough. Unfortunately, he was dissuaded from doing so by his very forceful father, who maintained that automation was just around the corner. As it happened, Vincent could have got a good 30 years of a career out of Irish Lights but it was not to be. Definitely one who got away.

Vincent sadly died last April in his eightieth year, leaving three daughters, four grandchildren, (Shannon, Joe, Ben and Megan) and two great-grandchildren, (Oscar and Caspian.) In the autumn, his daughters Gaynor, Laura and Michelle, and Laura's daughter, Megan, came over to Ireland to scatter his ashes at the three lighthouses that their father remembered with fondness in his book. 

Michelle, Laura, Megan and Gaynor at the Baily

The first was the Baily lighthouse, training ground for new keepers and the very last lighthouse to be automated by Irish Lights in 1997. Through forward planning and the assistance of Irish Lights and the relevant attendants, the girls and their families were able to access all three lighthouses. All photos courtesy the three girls

Then it was a trip across to the west coast and across on the ferry to Arranmore Island. This was in fact Vincent's final lighthouse and, although he lived with his mother on the mainland at Burtonport, holidays were spent on the island with his Dad at the lighthouse. The family was shown around by attendant Danny Boyle, who had been at school with Vincent many moons ago. He showed them a ship in a bottle that Leonard had given him.

And finally it was down to Mine Head on the south coast. Despite it being situated on the mainland, it is one of the most remote lighthouses in Ireland, in so far as shops, schools, churches and pubs are concerned. Vincent's book tells of going to the nearby farmyard to get milk, the outdoor toilet, John Crowley the AK, and the one-room school.

I bet there are names written on the back of that wardrobe!

Didn't realise those gates opened!

And so the Irish Lights Memorial Tour came to an end and Vincent was back in his childhood homes.

It was an incredibly emotional but also heart warming experience fulfilling dad's wishes, said Gaynor. Losing our mum the previous year and then our dad just a year later was so very hard for us all. We're so grateful to all the wonderful people we met during our visit and leave with a greater sense of belonging. A massive thank you to the lighthouse keepers Barry, Brendan, Danny and Lee for all your help as we won't ever forget you.