The four lighthouses of Erris

By Tom Gillespie

AN article on the lighthouses of Erris was featured in the 2001/02 Kilmore Parish Magazine.

The most famous and probably the best known is Blacksod Lighthouse (pictured right), because of its association with the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.

A vital weather forecast from the north Mayo lighthouse changed the course of the Second World War.

Irish Coast Guardsman and lighthouse keeper Ted Sweeney had no idea the lives of more than 150,000 Allied troops would hang on his words.

As he watched the barometer fall precipitously, Ted Sweeney's report from the coast guard station convinced General Dwight D. Eisenhower to delay the D-Day invasion for 24 hours - a decision which averted a military catastrophe and changed the course of the Second World War.

The lighthouse is situated at the southern end of the Mullet Peninsula. It was built in 1864 by one of the leading merchants in Belmullet at that time, Bryan Carey, at a cost of £2,440.

Land for the lighthouse was obtained by Rev. W. Palmer who owned local granite quarries and supplied stone to the contractors.

At first, the relief keeper ashore from Blackrock looked after the light but on November 1, 1933, Mr. Edward Sweeney was appointed as the attendant.

Blacksod fell victim to modernisation and was converted from acetylene to electric on May 1, 1967.

At the end of 1969 Blacksod became the helicopter base for Eagle Island and Blackrock. It now has an 11-metre diameter concrete helipad, store and waiting room.

Blackrock Lighthouse flashed white to sea and red towards land every 30 seconds.

It was first exhibited on June 1, 1864, stands 282-feet above high water level and is visible for 22 miles.

Its cost in total, including dwellings, walling, apparatus and buildings, was £20,672.6s.7d.

The circular tower, 50-foot high, is positioned on the western extremity of Blackrock and built from the stone of the rock.

In 1908 the candle power of the light was increased by replacing the wick burner with an incandescent mantle illuminated by a mixture of acetylene gas and air.

An attendant and assistant visit it once every four weeks by helicopter.

Two lighthouses as well as a massive storm wall on the sea side of the towers were built on Eagle Island.

The towers, 64-feet and 87-feet high, were 132 yards apart with their lanterns at the same level 220-feet above high water.

Built of cut stone from quarries on the island, the towers were painted white and could be seen for miles in clear weather.

The cost of the whole establishment until the end of 1839 was £36,429.10s.1d.

After a storm struck Eagle Island on December 29, 1894, and destroyed the east station beyond repair, it was decided that the east station should be abandoned and the west one improved.

An explosive fog signal was installed on Eagle in 1917. A radio beacon was installed in 1935.

Broadhaven Lighthouse is on the mainland and is located at the south of Broadhaven Bay, in the village of Ballyglass.

It enjoys comparative peace, tucked up on Gubbacashel point, and guides ships clear of hidden rocks on the western side of Broadhaven into safe anchorage.

A light sort beacon was first looked for by the local coast guard in 1843. The board inspector, George Halpin, reported that if a lighthouse was not approved a beacon could be built on floors with steps in the event of a lighthouse being erected at a later date.

The board favoured a beacon but the idea was postponed until the end of 1845 due to difficulty in securing a plot of ground.

Strong local representation was made to the board for a lighthouse and buoys to mark a channel to Belmullet. This was supported by George Halpin, but the lighthouse was put on the long finger.

In June 1845 the inspector reported to headquarters that the tower was completed and suggested that it should be fitted up as a harbour light.

The board again concurred and ordered that Trinity House be informed. Their approval was given several months later and a lantern was delivered.

Meanwhile, a dwelling and store for the keeper was designed and the construction work was carried out by the board’s workmen under the supervision of the inspector.

The tower was left in its natural grey stone colour. The lighthouse became established on June 1, 1885, and was visible up to 12 miles. It cost in the region of £6,976.10d.

Several years later, 1924, an inspection committee gave approval for improvements to be carried out at an additional cost of £500.

The work was continually postponed until 1930 when the board of trade sanctioned Broadhaven to be an unmatched station. The light power was increased and the colour of the tower changed to white at a cost of £434.10s.7d. Further alterations were carried out in the following years and by 1971 it was converted to electric power.

The first keeper to take up duty in 1846 was a man named Ryan. This fact was established when it was discovered that his name had been carved out in rock near the lighthouse.

The last keeper in 1932 was a man named Coupe, from Belmullet, who spent 17 years on Blackrock Lighthouse.

It was known as a retirement station for keepers going into their final years of service.

Those who served on the Broadhaven Bay station included people named Murphy and King. King, incidentally, died in tragic circumstances in Wicklow in 1923.

Food supplies were taken to Broadhaven by attendant Willie Padden, whose grandfather, James, had also held the contract. His uncle, Anthony Padden, was also a supplier.

The coastguards were based in Ballyglass and the station was burned down in 1920.