THE FIRST time I returned to Inishtrahull in my present role as Attendant, old memories came to my mind. I remember the first time I came to the Hull, as it is locally called, was for a week's holidays in 1954 with my brother Eugene.

We went by boat from Malin Head. When we arrived at the island my father, who was Principal Keeper there, and his Assistant, Ronnie Hamilton, were on the landing to greet us. After dealing with the official mail and exchanging yarns with the crew of the relief boat we set off for the lighthouse.

Tea was made ready. I remember well it was lobster salad. I suppose this was a treat for the two young lads newly arrived on the island.

After tea Ronnie took us up the tower to show us the workings of the light. As the sun was setting the curtains around the lantern were taken down. We thought it strange to have curtains up during the day and down at night. We later learned that if they were not up during the day the sun shining through the lens would break the glass and melt the soldered joints. While the light was being lit we went on to the balcony and could see the lights of other lighthouses--Tory, Fanad, Rathlin and two Scottish lights.

We slept soundly the first night as we were tired after the long day.

We spent the next day going around the island observing the wildlife and visiting the few small beaches. We went to the west side of the island to visit the Keepers at the fog signal station. I remember Tony Walsh and Vincent Whelan were on duty there.

The next morning Ronnie called us as a liner was passing. It seemed massive. During that week we saw many naval ships passing on their way to Derry or to anchor in Moville Bay. Several aircraft passed during the day on their way to Ballykelly after their North Atlantic patrol. They used to drop papers to the Keepers.

Little did I know that I would be back at the Hull as Attendant. The lighthouse now has its doors and windows all barred up and intruder alarms in operation. The beauty has gone. No friendly handshake to greet you. Now it's all a rush. Helicopter will be with you at 0900. Don't delay! It has to be in Dublin at noon. It can't hang about.

God be with the old days when time meant nothing--it seemed to stand still. Time now is like the flash of the light.


The original lighthouse at the east end of Inishtrahull

There were two Irish Lights stations on Inishtrahull in 1954: the lighthouse dating from 1813 at the east end, and the fog-signal station of 1905 at the west end. In 1958 a new lighthouse was established at the west end beside the fog signal station, and the old lighthouse was abandoned. The fog-signal was discontinued when Inishtrahull Lighthouse was automated in 1987.

This poem was written by Donal O'Sullivan's father, D.J. O'Sullivan, who served as a Lightkeeper from 1925 to 1966 and was a noted naturalist and poet.


Inishtrahull Island from the west end, with the 'new' lighthouse in the foreground (photo: © Philip Plisson, Pêchur D'Images)

Dawn in Inishtrahull

The moon shines on the Isle of Inishtrahull,
Bejewelling nuptial tinted herring-gull,
May-fly dancing in the balmy air,
And moth returning to its daylight lair.


A shoal of herring breaking out at sea
Sparkle like hoar-frost on an aspen tree,
Spindrift in the shaded rocky cleft,
And raised-beach quartz that the ice-ages left.


The droning beetles seek the crevassed walls
To dive into when hungry lapwing calls;
Earwigs, likewise, into earthed homes,
And red-ants under scarred lichened stones.


An otter seeking rest on rock remote
Glistens with phosphorescence on his coat,
The snail Arborum, with his watery glue,
And bunch of pearlwort in a crystal dew.


The flaming sun ascends o'er Cantyre's Mull, Flings out his arms, day breaks on Inishtrahull!

D. J. O'Sullivan.