From the Archives

(The Tearaght Lighthouse was commissioned 150 years ago in 1870. Some of its story is presented here from old newspapers and current sources.)

Preparations From – Kerry Evening Post, 26 March 1864

A large smack, the Falcon, arrived in Dingle harbour in March 1864 with a cargo of building materials and stores to be used in the construction of a lighthouse on the Tearagh Rock – one of the Blasket Islands. The materials are being stored in Mr. Kavanagh’s premises until required. A Mr. Shakespeare has been sent down from Dublin to supervise proceedings. The Ballast Board has secured the steam tug Bishop to convey materials and personnel to the island and John O’Flaherty will pilot the vessel to and from the island.

[Originally,Trinity House had recommended the Great Foze Rock, to the south-west of the Tearaght, as the location of the new lighthouse but the Ballast Board favoured the Tearaght. The island was owned by the Earl of Cork and ‘a Miss Hussey had an interest’, according to the Commissioners of Irish Lights].

The Estimated Cost From – Tralee Chronicle, 26 April 1864.

A few days ago one of the undertakers of the construction work and an engineer went into the Tearaght rock. After an inspection of several hours they marked out where the lighthouse is to be erected. The height of this dreary and stupendous rock is 591 feet [174m] above the level of the ocean. The first part of the work will involve creating a place of safety for those employed there, from the blasting which will be extensive. The time specified for the completion of the project is seven years and the cost is estimated at £100,000. [€13m + in today’s conversion].

The Bishop out of commission and threatened strike. From – Commissioners of Irish Lights website – www.irishlights.ie

In 1865 the steam tug Bishop developed boiler trouble and had to be taken out of commission. She was replaced by a hooker owned by pilot John O’Flaherty. In 1866 the stonecutters, masons and plasterers working on the lighthouse threatened to go on strike unless their daily pay was increased. Stonecutters and masons were paid five shillings per day and demanded an additional four pence per day. Plasterers were paid three shillings and sixpence per day and demanded an extra six pence per day. Their demands were met ‘without hesitation'.

Death of Worker Source – www.marinetours.ie

Photos: Mossy Donegan

Notice to Mariners From - Office of Irish Lights, 1 January 1870.

Notice is hereby given, that a Lighthouse has been erected on TEARAGHT, the Westernmost of the Blasket Islands, County of Kerry from which a White Revolving Light will be exhibited on the evening of the 1st May, 1870, and continue thenceforth from sunset to sunrise. The Tower is Circular, of a Whitish Grey Colour, and is 57 feet in height [17+m] from base to vane The Light’s focal plane is 275 feet [84m approx:] above the level of the sea at high water spring tides. It will attain its greatest brilliancy every minute and a half, and should be seen in clear weather from a distance of 22 Nautical Miles. [The character of the light changed in August 1883 to two white flashes, in a fifteen-second period, followed by forty-five seconds of darkness].

Housing for Keepers Source – www.irishlights.ie

Two houses for the lighthouse keepers and their families were built on the island.

The Census of Ireland for 1881 shows that there were 13 people living on the Tearaght, including nine children while the figure for the 1891 Census shows that number reduced to 10.

More Deaths on the Tearaght From – Irish Independent, 14 April 1892

Intelligence has just reached Dingle that on Saturday last the light-keeper on the Tearaght, one of the Blasket Islands, and his son went to collect seabirds eggs from the cliffs. Not having since returned or no tidings of them received, it is supposed that they both must have fallen from the cliffs and been drowned.

[On 12 September 1913 an assistant keeper fell to his death while attempting to catch goats for milking – source: www.irishlights.ie ].

Improvements for Keepers and Their Families Source – www.irishlights.ie

In 1896 the Tearaght lighthouse keepers requested the introduction of a relief system whereby they and their families could be housed ashore and the keepers would return to the lighthouse for limited periods. The Commissioners acceded to the request and the new system was introduced for both the Tearaght and the Skelligs keepers and their families in December that year. They occupied temporary housing on Valentia Island until new houses were provided for them four years later near Knightstown. [The Tearaght Lighthouse became automated in 1988 and the keepers were withdrawn].

Census of the Tearaght 1901 –1911 Source – National Archives of Ireland

There were 3 keepers on the Tearaght Lighthouse. In the 1901 Census they were; James F. Connell (35), Peter Roddy (44) and John Connolly (21). In 1911 the keepers were; Daniel Twohig (44), Edward H. Kennedy (24) and Francis J. Corish (24).