Campaign message: ‘Leave our light alone’

Campaign message: ‘Leave our light alone’

22 August 2018

THE campaign to save the iconic St John’s Point Lighthouse beam is heating up after protestors rejected the latest proposals from Irish lighthouse authorities.

A major demonstration held at the historic site on Sunday met with a surprise visit from Captain Robert McCabe of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), who presented a case for a modern LED light that would still maintain a sweeping beam.

However, campaigners remain unconvinced.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard said the proposals were “unacceptable” and has weighed in behind those firmly against any change to the six tonne Fresnel lamp operation that campaigners say is a treasured piece of Down’s social heritage.

Sunday’s event was organised by the Lecale Lightkeepers, who insist the traditional beam is a stunning feature of the Lecale landscape that must be retained for future generations. In April, Newry, Mourne and Down Council also backed the campaign to retain the sweeping beam at the lighthouse, vehemently rejecting the controversial proposal to remove it.

Speaking following Sunday’s community protest, Mr Hazzard said: “For 150 years the iconic sweeping beam from St John’s Point Lighthouse h  as been a fundamental part of life for those of us who live and work in East Down.

“The Commissioners of Irish Lights current proposals to alter this beam as a result of their planned refurbishments of the lighthouse are unacceptable and are therefore opposed by both heritage campaigners and the local community.

“We have unfortunately seen CIL’s modernisation policy diminish the unique character of Irish lighthouses in recent years.

“Recent problems at Tory Island, Mew Island and Fastnet are a timely reminder as to why we must not tamper with the special heritage at St John’s.

“The message remains the same — leave our light alone.”

Local Sinn Féin Cllr John Rice, who also attended the protest, added: “St John’s Point is one of the most iconic pieces of social heritage that we can offer.

“The light itself can be seen right across the constituency and it is something that locals enjoy greatly from as far as the Mournes and Slieve Croob.

“I like most other people grew up always admiring this great light house and I feel that the Irish Lighthouse authority must stop their proposed changes immediately.”

Eileen Peters, one of the local campaigners, said the protest was chosen to coincide with International Lighthouse weekend.

She said Captain McCabe from CIL made a “surprise entrance” with plans for the lighthouse “which unfortunately, are still at variance with those of the local community”.

“He presented the case for a replacement light, which he claims would provide the same beam as the original,” said Ms Peters. “This cannot be the case as the range of the light would be reduced by several miles.”

Ms Peters also argued CIL had not taken into account reports by eminent toxicologists on the safe use of mercury in lighthouses, or the findings of the Royal Society’s Publication on the detrimental effects of LED lighting on epifaunal marine communities.

Ms Peters said that following their extensive research and campaigning they were “dismayed at the ease in which the heritage of Irish is discarded”.

“Lecale Lightkeepers would like to thank the local community and all who made their way to the lighthouse on Saturday for their support,” she said. “We are grateful to Chris Hazzard MP, Cllr Dermot Curran and Cllr John Rice for attending today’s event, and thank Cllrs Patrick Brown and Gareth Sharvin for their good wishes.”

Ahead of Sunday’s protest CIL said it had confirmed its commitment to retain the sweeping beam with an LED light.

A spokeswoman said: “As part of the Commissioners of Irish Lights ongoing investment programme to maintain and modernise its aids to navigation, planned work at St. John’s Point Lighthouse will deliver environmental, safety and cost benefits and is part of the continuing investment programme of maintenance, upkeep and modernisation of our coastal services to the mariner. 

“The main programme of works at St John’s Lighthouse, due to take place in the coming years, is the replacement of the light source with a new LED light. This light source will be housed within the original Fresnel lens and there will be no changes to the visual structure of the light source. The new LED light will maintain its sweeping beam and will use less than 30 watts compared with the previous 1000 watt lamp thus improving its environmental footprint and removing the need for a diesel generator at the station. It will also allow the removal of mercury from the station. 

“Irish Lights has addressed previously held concerns relating to the sweeping beam and has reiterated that the solution being considered for St John’s Point will ensure that the beam will retain its sweeping feature and rotating lens will be unaffected visually.

“Since this project was first proposed in 2016, Irish Lights has engaged with local stakeholders, including Lecale Lightkeepers, on the replacement of the lens, and has taken on board key concerns raised by these groups and will continue to engage with the community on an ongoing basis to ensure the unique lighthouse heritage is protected. 

“Irish Lights is currently trialling a system that will allow the lens to rotate in the same manner it currently does and will engage with the local community once again when this trial project comes to a final conclusion. When the project is in a position to progress Irish Lights will continue to consult with the local community and will ensure all planning and heritage requirements are met.

“Irish Lights respects the right to protest however urges members of the public to be cognisant of tenants and tourists who are currently residing at St John’s Point Lighthouse.”