Support grows for lighthouse

Support grows for lighthouse

22 July 2015

THE Commissioner of Irish Lights is being encouraged to engage with the local group campaigning for the retention of the sweeping beam at St John’s Point Lighthouse in Killough.

The appeal has been issued by South Down MLA Chris Hazzard who met with representatives of Lecale Lightkeepers which recently unveiled its new logo and revealed international support for the campaign to retain the world famous Fresnel lens is gathering momentum.

The meeting with Mr Hazzard took place following recent confirmation from the Commissioners that controversial plans to modify St John’s Point Lighthouse have been suspended for at least two years. 

Mr Hazzard intends to continue working with residents and maritime enthusiasts campaigning against plans to remove the lens and the sweeping beam from the lighthouse.

“Plans are being developed to showcase St John’s Point Lighthouse as a visitor attraction and I will be arguing that the traditional beam in place is intrinsic to its heritage,” said the MLA.

“Commissioners need to engage with interested groups — such as the Lecale Lightkeepers — as part of an open and transparent process. St John’s Point Lighthouse is a fantastic feature of the Lecale coastline and with the proposed development of the Mourne Coastal Path, it would be an attraction for tourists to the area.”

The campaign to retain the sweeping beam and not allow it to be replaced by a static LED light has already featured on the front cover of the prestigious Lighthouse Digest publication which circulates extensively in America and Canada.

Commissioners want to replace the six ton Fresnel lamp with a modern LED light, claiming the existing light poses a health hazard as it rotates in a bath of mercury.

But in the wake of vociferous criticism about the lamp’s removal, they have agreed to put their plan on hold and look at other rotating mechanisms which would allow the lamp to remain.

Those who want the lamp retained argue the bath of mercury it rotates in is sealed and there is no opportunity for the liquid escape.

Rick Cain, deputy director of operations at St Augustine Lighthouse in Florida and Lee Radzak, historic site manager of the Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota, are backing the campaign for Killough sweeping beam to be retained.

Rick, who is deputy director of operations at St Augustine, said “to remove a lens and attach an LED to the rail would leave you looking at a standing corpse with a bicycle light hanging from its nose,” while Lee said replacing the Fresnel lamp with an LED light would be a “sad thing.” 

The Lecale Lightkeepers have confirmed they plan to enter into formal discussions with The Commissioners of Irish Lights to have the sweeping beam retained, explaining the aim is to “preserve, for future generations, St John’s Point Lighthouse in its existing functioning form, complete with its historic optical and mechanical engineering as a magnificent aid to navigation.”