A neighbour was a lighthouse keeper and that could be quite a lonely occupation but at least the lighthouses were on terra firma. What was it like to be a light keeper in a lightship? The Fastnet wasn't going anywhere once the tower had been built but those things could shift or even lose their moorings and take off which was likely to be in a storm. They were great men!
Photographer: Ball, Robert S. (Robert Stawell), 1840-1913
Collection: Commissioners of Irish Lights Photographic Collection
Date: Circa 1890 - 1909
NLI Ref: NPA CIL99
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Tags: Commissioners of Irish Lights Photographic Collection National Library of Ireland Ireland Lighthouse Lights Robert S Ball Robert Stawell
Some pictures taken by the late Michael Cleary. Summer 1979 I believe. Possibly this trip was combined with his visit to Northern Ireland, pictures of which I posted earlier.
This locomotive dates from 1847 and was built by Bury, Curtis and Kennedy. It is displayed at Kent station in Cork.
Tags: Irish Republic Eire C.I.E. Michael Cleary
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Fascinating watching this little Wren smashing the caterpillar on the ground. Did not take very long to consume.
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One of Ireland’s most challenging and successful engineering projects, carried out in extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. The Fastnet Lighthouse is iconic for mariners who pass through the waters off the south coast of Ireland, and the subject of many fine photographs. It gives Morning Mary the willies even looking at those men on the structure!
+++ UPDATE +++
A really striking photograph that would stop most of us from moaning about our working environments! Great to identify one of these men – master stonemason James Kavanagh is in the white coat with his back to the camera. According to many sources, Mr Kavanagh “placed every stone of the lighthouse with his bare hands”. Unfortunately, he died before the Fastnet light came into use.
Photographers: Robert S. Ball (Robert Stawell)
Collection: Commissioners of Irish Lights Photographic Collection
Date: Circa 1900
NLI Ref: NPA CIL136
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Tags: The Commissioners of Irish Lights Photographic Collection The Fastnet Rock Lighthouse Construction cranes workmen ropes stones masons Commissioners of Irish Lights Lighthouse Fastnet Fastnet Lighthouse Fastnet Rock Lighthouse Atlantic Ocean Cork Munster Ireland National Library of Ireland An Charraig Aonair James Kavanagh Stonemason People Identified
This unique piece of woodland art close to Donegal's border with Derry was created by local forester Liam Emery in the early part of the millennium, using over 3,000 trees.
Measuring approximately 125 by 70 metres, the Emery Celtic Cross as it has become known, is etched on the side of Bogay Hill just outside Newtown Cunningham at the northern end of the Lagan Valley in County Donegal.
The forester used Japanese Larch for the cross, the needles of which turn Autumnal gold this time of year, surrounded by evergreens.
It was first noticed by passengers flying into Derry city airport. Sadly, the creative man behind the unique idea never got the chance to see it in full growth, having passed away several years ago. www.govisitdonegal.com
Tags: Forest Emery Celtic Cross Ireland Wild Atlantic Way Green Spiritual landscape
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