The Lighthouses of Ireland: A Personal Journey - Softcover

Richard M. Taylor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 190517215X ISBN 13: 9781905172153

Publisher: The Collins Press, 2006

Synopsis

Most people with the slightest interest in lighthouses have heard of the Fastnet and Loop Head, but not many have heard of Rotten Island, Maidens or Straw Island. Most would be surprised to learn there are 86 lighthouses on or off the coast of Ireland, many not easily accessible. The story behind this remarkable system of lighting our, sometimes perilous, coast is virtually unknown.

Richard Taylor a lighthouse technician for 44 years, who visited and worked on all 86 lighthouses, takes the reader on a circumnavigational tour of the coast describing the lighthouses, their history and the unique way of life of lighthouse keepers and their families, largely unknown and ignored until now. Often waiting weeks at places like Blacksod or Valentia for the weather to abate, Richard got to know lighthouse keepers and their families intimately. The result is a book embellished with anecdotes and hair-raising tales of getting onto and off lighthouses and time spent there, often weeks on end. A notable inclusion is a copy of a strongly-worded letter dated 9 August 1950 from the Principal Keeper, St John s Lighthouse, Co. Down, to head office urging the dismissal of one Brendan Behan from his position as painter. Each lighthouse has its own specific light character and these are included with each entry.

About this title

Review:

"'There is not a dull moment in it' John De Courcy Ireland 'A great read' Subsea 'A valuable and interesting record' Books Ireland 'Invaluable addition' The Irish Times"

Synopsis:

Lighthouses can be romantic, mystical and tragic. Most people know of the Fastnet and Loop Head, but may not have heard of Rotten Island, Maidens or Straw Island or that there are 86 lighthouses on or off the coast of Ireland. The story behind this remarkable system of lighting our coast is virtually unknown. Richard Taylor was a lighthouse technician for 44 years, worked on all 86 lighthouses and is uniquely qualified to write this personal history-cum-guide. Describing the lighthouses and their history, he captures the unique way of life of the lighthouse keepers and their families, largely ignored and, with automation, no longer extant. Often waiting weeks at places like Blacksod or Valentia for the weather to abate, Richard got to know lighthouse keepers and their families intimately. The result is a book embellished with anecdotes and hair-raising tales of getting on to lighthouses, time spent there, often weeks on end, and getting off. A notable inclusion is a strongly worded letter dated 9 August, 1950 from the Principal Keeper, St John's Lighthouse, Co. Down, to head office urging the dismissal of one Brendan Behan from the position of painter.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Collins Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 190517215X
• ISBN 13: 9781905172153
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196