Commissioners of Irish Lights

		Search the CIL website: 2010 Irish Lights Calendar October 19 2009 The 2010 Irish Lights calendar is now available. This calendar features photographs commemorating the various branches of the Lighthouse Service over the past 200 years. Draft Marine AtoN Strategy - 2025 and Beyond October 14 2009 2025 and Beyond is the United Kingdom and Ireland's marine aids to navigation (AtoN) strategy. It has been prepared by the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights for their users, partners and stakeholders. New Mizen Bridge! October 02 2009 Welcome boost for Mizen Head Tourism! A contract for the construction of a new bridge to the Mizen Head Lighthouse has been signed and work will start right away with the new bridge ready for next summer's tourist season. Minister Dempsey announces that the Light Dues rate from 1st August 2009 to 31st March 2010, has been increased from 52 to 57 cents August 06 2009 Minister Dempsey announces that the Light Dues rate from 1st August 2009 to 31st March 2010, has been increased from 52 to 57 cents per ton and the maximum number of voyages to be levied has been increased from 7 to 9 in any one year. The tonnage cap remains at 35,000 NRT. Please click here to see SI 297 of 2009 - MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIGHT DUES) ORDER 2009
BEAM No. 37 BEAM No. 36 BEAM No. 35 BEAM No. 34 BEAM No. 33 BEAM No. 32 BEAM No. 31 BEAM No. 30 BEAM No. 29 BEAM No. 28 BEAM No. 27 BEAM No. 26 BEAM No. 25 BEAM No. 24	BEAM Magazine No. 25 The Journal of the Irish Lighthouse Service. Volume 25. 1996-1997. Letter from the Chief Executive It is surprising to those who are familiar with the work of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to discover that very many members of the public have little idea about the functions of our Service. Baily Lighthouse by Kevin Murphy At the end of March 1997 the last Principal Keeper will lock the door of Baily Lighthouse and hand over the keys to the Inspector of Lights and Marine Superintendent. The automation of the Baily will result in the withdrawal of the last Lighthouse Keepers from the Irish coast and close the door, not just on an occupation, but on a tradition handed down for centuries. Life as a Supernumerary Assistant Keeper Lightkeepers began their service as SAKs based at Baily, where they were given instruction by the PK. From Baily they were sent as relieving Keepers to other lighthouses where they gained more experience of the coast. Richard Foran looks back on life as an SAK. Lightkeeping–the end of an era by Capt Owen Deignan With the approach of Spring 1997 and the imminent departure of the last of the Lightkeepers from Baily Lighthouse we cannot but reflect on the passing into maritime history of the truly remarkable men who, supported by their equally remarkable wives and families, contributed so much to the safety of life and property at sea. Their unique dedication to the navigational requirements of the mariner can be traced back not only throughout the two centuries or so of the current Service’s stewardship of Ireland's lights and seamarks, but back even before the earliest years of this fast fading millennium. Romance and Reality by Richard Cummins Lighthouses and their Keepers have always held a fascination for people. Being trapped in a stone tower battered by the elements, with solitude and isolation as companions, has a certain romanticism. As a young teenager I spent my summers on fishing boats working the waters around the south-west rocks and was mesmerised by the Bull Rock Lighthouse, perched on the edge of that immense rock. While not having the vaguest idea what the job of the Keeper was like I decided it was what I wanted as a career. In Retrospect Bill Scanlan spent nearly 40 years as a Lighthouse Keeper. He is the son and grandson of a Lighthouse Keeper. A Lifetime In the Lighthouse Service by Pauline Butler From a Lighthouse Keeper's daughter and a Lighthouse Keeper’s wife, to a Lighthouse Attendant Changing times Capt. J.J. Hickey, Inspector of Lights & Marine Superintendent A New Ship – A New Future The Commissioners have been given approval to begin work on the design of a new vessel to replace the Granuaile. Captain J. J. Hickey, Inspector and Marine Superintendent outlines the present status of the new ship project. Beached Buoys by Kieran O'Higgins Granuaile chases buoys on beaches and rocks. Final Lighthouse Automations M.B.McStay, Engineer-in-Chief Engineering Works Lighthouse Depot Retirements Two well-known personalities retired from the Lighthouse Depot, earlier this year. Repairs to Helipad on Skellig Michael Michael Taylor Appointments, Promotions, Resignations, Retirements, Deaths Letters Puffin Lightvessel One hundred years ago the Puffin Lightvessel sank at the Daunt Rock with the loss of all hands. Jim Blaney describes the tragedy. Dundalk Pile Light and Bellurgan Folk Charley McCarthy Bird Watching at Inis Tíaracht Andrea J. Buttimer Book Reviews A Visit to Donaghadee Lighthouse Stromboli Rock A short story by Colin Myles-Hook, based on a previously unexplained shipwreck