Appointments, Promotions, Resignations, Retirements, Deaths
Appointments
Martin O'Toole, General Worker at the Lighthouse Depot, from 5 January 1998.
Anthony Hynes, General Worker at the Lighthouse Depot, from 19 January 1998.
Noel McCurdy, ex-Lightkeeper, appointed Attendant of Rathlin East and Rue Point Lighthouses, and Assistant Attendant of Rathlin West Lighthouse, from 10 March 1998.
Dillon McCarthy, Attendant of Ferris Point, appointed also Attendant of Blackhead Antrim from 1 April 1998.
Christopher McMahon, Attendant of Corlis Point from 1 April 1998.
Sean Maguire, appointed Services Officer at Irish Lights Office, from 17 June 1998.
Aidan Walsh, ex-Lightkeeper, appointed Attendant of Inishtearaght from 26 October 1998.
Gerry Sweeney, ex-Lightkeeper, and former Attendant of Eagle Island, appointed Assistant Attendant of Blacksod from 1 November 1998.
Denis Byrne, appointed Drawing Office Technician Grade IV at Irish Lights Office, from 2 November 1998.
Promotions, Regradings, Transfers
Kieran Lambie, from Engine Room Rating to Seaman, ilt Granuaile, from 25 November 1997.
Sinead Reilly, from PC Support Programmer Grade II to PC Support Programmer Grade 1 from 1 December 1997.
Anna Parkinson, from Clerical Officer Grade II to Systems Programmer Grade I from 2 January 1998.
Fergus Elworthy, from Messenger to Clerical Officer Grade II from 2 January 1998.
Eamon Clinch, from Lighthouse Technician Mechanical to Foreman (Buoy Shop) from 14 January 1998.
Michael Bright, from Lighthouse Technician Mechanical to Fitting Shop Foreman from 14 January 1998.
Fiona Lee, from Clerical Assistant to Personal Assistant II from 2 March 1998; and to Personal Assistant Grade I from 16 June 1998.
Dermot Gray, Chief Officer, ILT Granuaile, seconded to Irish Lights Office as Assistant Project Manager (Ship Build Project) from 2 June 1998.
Stuart Ruttle, from Deputy Engineer-in-Chief to Engineer-in-Chief from 12 October 1998.
Michael Taylor, from Engineering Manager Civil to Enginering Manager Civil and Acting Deputy Engineer-in-Chief on 12 October 1998.
Retirements
Brendan McGuinness, Lighthouse Technician Mechanical, retired from the Lighthouse Depot on 12 December 1997 after 23 years' service.
Sam Ryan, Seaman ILT Granuaile, retired on 22 December 1997 after 27 years' service.
Gregory Meehan, Engine Room Rating, ilt Granuaile retired on 31 March 1998 after 36 years' service.
Vera Connell, Attendant Blackhead Antrim, retired on 31 March 1998 after 7 1/2 years' service.
Charlie Moore, General Worker, retired from the Lighthouse Depot on 21 April 1998 after 33 year' service.
Maryanne MacDonald, Personnel & Welfare Officer, retired from Irish Lights Office on 30 April 1998 after 41 years' service.
Don Henderson, Steward ILT Granuaile, retired on 13 September 1998 after 37 1/2 years' service.
Morgan McStay, Engineer-in-Chief, retired from Irish Lights Office on 10 October 1998 after 26 years' service.
Pat O'Shea, Attendant of Inishtearaght, retired on 25 October 1998 after 10 years' service as Attendant and 32 years' previous service as a Lightkeeper.
Resignations
Jason Maguire, General Worker, Lighthouse Depot, resigned on 5 December 1997 after 1 year's service.
John Cunneen, General Worker, Lighthouse Depot, resigned on 19 December 1997 after 101/2 years' total service.
Joseph McMahon, Attendant Corlis Point, resigned on 31 March 1998 after 8 months' service.
Susan O'Connor resigned as Personal Assistant Grade I, Irish Lights Office, on 27 February 1998 after 20 years' service.
Mark Cahill, Clerical Officer Grade II, Irish Lights Office, resigned on 5 June 1998 after 2 years' service.
Sinead Reilly, PC Support Programmer Grade I, Irish Lights Office, resigned on 19 June 1998, after 61/2 years' previous service.
Anna Parkinson, Systems Programmer Grade I, Irish Lights Office, resigned on 2 October 1998, after 141/2 years' service.
Erica Grainger, Drawing Office Technician Grade III (Civil), Irish Lights Office, resigned on 30 October 1998, after 4 years' service.
Deaths
We record with regret the death of the following Service employees and pensioners. May they rest in peace.
Michael Loughrey, pensioned Lamplighter, Lightvessel Service, died on 29 November 1997.
William Sheehan, pensioned Greaser, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 1 December 1997.
Mrs Kathleen Regan, widow of John Regan, pensioned Quartermaster, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 13 December 1997.
Mrs Anne Swords, widow of Christopher Swords, pensioned Quartermaster, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 12 January 1998.
John Byrne, pensioned Quartermaster, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 19 January 1998.
John Noone, pensioned Coast Building Tradesmen, died on 26 January 1998.
Mrs Florence Stewart, widow of Frank Stewart, pensioned Assistant Engineer, died on 30 January 1998.
Frank Ryan, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 18 February 1998.
Peter O'Connor, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 6 March 1998.
James Carolan, pensioned Fogsignalman, Lightvessel Service, died on 10 March 1998.
Michael Sweeney, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 24 March 1998.
Billy Hobbs, pensioned Fitting Shop Foreman, Lighthouse Depot, died on 5 June 1998.
Jim Dillon, pensioned Lightkeeper, died on 7 June 1998.
Capt Oscar O'Hehir, pensioned Commander, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 12 June 1998.
Jack Roche, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 15 August 1998.
Charlie Connolly, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 30 August 1998.
Tom Mangan, pensioned Head Messenger and Hall Porter, Irish Lights Office, died on 5 September 1998.
Frank Stubbs, pensioned Boatswain, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 26 September 1998.
John Walker, Drawing Office Supervisor Grade I, Irish Lights Office, died on 5 October 1998 after 25 years' service.
Joe Lawless, pensioned Seaman, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 6 October 1998.
Alec Mullaney, temporary Third Engineer on contract, ilt Granuaile, died on 8 October 1998.
Michael Murphy, pensioned Greaser, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 13 October 1998.
Aidan Foley, Attendant Master Coningbeg Lightfloat, died on 19 October 1998, after 22 years' service.
Mrs Alice Keane, widow of Jack Keane, pensioned Second Officer, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 22 October 1998.
Appreciations
Robert Shanks Commissioner of Irish Lights
The death in September of Robert Shanks, after a short illness, has deprived the Commissioners of Irish Lights of an energetic member of the Board who made a most valuable contribution, particularly in the area of tender design.
Robert Shanks was born in Belfast in 1939 and lived in the east of the city for virtually all his life. He was educated at Campbell College and at Queen's University where he took a degree in economics. He then joined the accountancy firm of J.H.R. Adams & Co where he stayed until the mid 1970s. After a short spell with Coopers & Lybrand he set up in private practice and acquired some business interests.
During the 1950s Robert Shanks joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a seaman. In due course he was commissioned, eventually becoming a very successful Commanding Officer of hms Caroline. He was Naval Aide-de-Camp to the Governors of Northern Ireland in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was also an enthusiastic yachtsman, having joined the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club as a youngster, eventually becoming the club's Commodore a few years ago. Further evidence of his love of the sea was apparent from the collection of books on marine matters at his home.
Since joining Irish Lights in 1994 Robert Shanks was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic member of the Board and a willing participant in a number of sub-committees, most notably as Chairman of the Ship Committee, formed to consider the replacement tender for the present ilt Granuaile. The high expectations for the new ship are in large measure a result of the accomplishments of the committee which he chaired. At sea, on working inspections, as well as ashore, he was an entertaining and agreeable companion who enjoyed easy relations with Commissioners and staff alike.
He is survived by his wife Liz and their son Nick.
M.M.
Aidan Foley Attendant Master, Coningbeg Lightfloat
IT IS WITH great sadness that I learnt of the death of Aidan Foley, Attendant Master of the Coningbeg Lightfloat.
Aidan's passing was a great shock to his family and to us all. At the age of 62 he enjoyed very good health. He was actively engaged in his community and in his work for the Irish Lights Service to the end. He took a great interest in his local football team's progress towards the County Championship, and celebrated their success with them in The Templars the night before passing away peacefully in his sleep.
He was famous in this Service not just for his rescue of the adrift lightfloat on two occasions, but for his quiet unassuming manner, his competence, seamanship and dedication. He was proud of his work for Irish Lights and proud of being Attendant Master.
Aiden was buried in his service uniform in Templetown Church graveyard on Wednesday 21 October.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and Service colleagues alike.
J.J.H.
John Walker Mechanical Drawing Office Supervisor
JOHN WALKER died suddenly on the 5 October 1998 at the age of 63.
John spent his early life in the shadow of Warwick Castle and was educated at in Coventry Grammer School. With his aptitude for mechanical drawing and mathematics he entered the machinery manufacturing industry. He had a keen interest in motor racing, motor bikes and motor bike racing, and in his youth raced bikes in some of the more famous venues in the UK. After marrying Sheila they came to Ireland; John worked in Co Cavan in machinery manufacturing and in Bord na Mona before joining Irish Lights as a technician in the Mechanical Drawing Office and became Drawing Office Supervisor on 1 May 1996. He was involved in buoys, beacons and perches design, engine room layouts, auto-mations, lantern dome replacements and, most recently, the dgps projects at Mizen Head, Loophead and Tory Island.
To many John's death has been not only the loss of a colleague but also of a dear friend. Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sheila and his daughter Geraldine.
P. O'D.
Martin O'Toole, General Worker at the Lighthouse Depot, from 5 January 1998.
Anthony Hynes, General Worker at the Lighthouse Depot, from 19 January 1998.
Noel McCurdy, ex-Lightkeeper, appointed Attendant of Rathlin East and Rue Point Lighthouses, and Assistant Attendant of Rathlin West Lighthouse, from 10 March 1998.
Dillon McCarthy, Attendant of Ferris Point, appointed also Attendant of Blackhead Antrim from 1 April 1998.
Christopher McMahon, Attendant of Corlis Point from 1 April 1998.
Sean Maguire, appointed Services Officer at Irish Lights Office, from 17 June 1998.
Aidan Walsh, ex-Lightkeeper, appointed Attendant of Inishtearaght from 26 October 1998.
Gerry Sweeney, ex-Lightkeeper, and former Attendant of Eagle Island, appointed Assistant Attendant of Blacksod from 1 November 1998.
Denis Byrne, appointed Drawing Office Technician Grade IV at Irish Lights Office, from 2 November 1998.
Promotions, Regradings, Transfers
Kieran Lambie, from Engine Room Rating to Seaman, ilt Granuaile, from 25 November 1997.
Sinead Reilly, from PC Support Programmer Grade II to PC Support Programmer Grade 1 from 1 December 1997.
Anna Parkinson, from Clerical Officer Grade II to Systems Programmer Grade I from 2 January 1998.
Fergus Elworthy, from Messenger to Clerical Officer Grade II from 2 January 1998.
Eamon Clinch, from Lighthouse Technician Mechanical to Foreman (Buoy Shop) from 14 January 1998.
Michael Bright, from Lighthouse Technician Mechanical to Fitting Shop Foreman from 14 January 1998.
Fiona Lee, from Clerical Assistant to Personal Assistant II from 2 March 1998; and to Personal Assistant Grade I from 16 June 1998.
Dermot Gray, Chief Officer, ILT Granuaile, seconded to Irish Lights Office as Assistant Project Manager (Ship Build Project) from 2 June 1998.
Stuart Ruttle, from Deputy Engineer-in-Chief to Engineer-in-Chief from 12 October 1998.
Michael Taylor, from Engineering Manager Civil to Enginering Manager Civil and Acting Deputy Engineer-in-Chief on 12 October 1998.
Retirements
Brendan McGuinness, Lighthouse Technician Mechanical, retired from the Lighthouse Depot on 12 December 1997 after 23 years' service.
Sam Ryan, Seaman ILT Granuaile, retired on 22 December 1997 after 27 years' service.
Gregory Meehan, Engine Room Rating, ilt Granuaile retired on 31 March 1998 after 36 years' service.
Vera Connell, Attendant Blackhead Antrim, retired on 31 March 1998 after 7 1/2 years' service.
Charlie Moore, General Worker, retired from the Lighthouse Depot on 21 April 1998 after 33 year' service.
Maryanne MacDonald, Personnel & Welfare Officer, retired from Irish Lights Office on 30 April 1998 after 41 years' service.
Don Henderson, Steward ILT Granuaile, retired on 13 September 1998 after 37 1/2 years' service.
Morgan McStay, Engineer-in-Chief, retired from Irish Lights Office on 10 October 1998 after 26 years' service.
Pat O'Shea, Attendant of Inishtearaght, retired on 25 October 1998 after 10 years' service as Attendant and 32 years' previous service as a Lightkeeper.
Resignations
Jason Maguire, General Worker, Lighthouse Depot, resigned on 5 December 1997 after 1 year's service.
John Cunneen, General Worker, Lighthouse Depot, resigned on 19 December 1997 after 101/2 years' total service.
Joseph McMahon, Attendant Corlis Point, resigned on 31 March 1998 after 8 months' service.
Susan O'Connor resigned as Personal Assistant Grade I, Irish Lights Office, on 27 February 1998 after 20 years' service.
Mark Cahill, Clerical Officer Grade II, Irish Lights Office, resigned on 5 June 1998 after 2 years' service.
Sinead Reilly, PC Support Programmer Grade I, Irish Lights Office, resigned on 19 June 1998, after 61/2 years' previous service.
Anna Parkinson, Systems Programmer Grade I, Irish Lights Office, resigned on 2 October 1998, after 141/2 years' service.
Erica Grainger, Drawing Office Technician Grade III (Civil), Irish Lights Office, resigned on 30 October 1998, after 4 years' service.
Deaths
We record with regret the death of the following Service employees and pensioners. May they rest in peace.
Michael Loughrey, pensioned Lamplighter, Lightvessel Service, died on 29 November 1997.
William Sheehan, pensioned Greaser, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 1 December 1997.
Mrs Kathleen Regan, widow of John Regan, pensioned Quartermaster, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 13 December 1997.
Mrs Anne Swords, widow of Christopher Swords, pensioned Quartermaster, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 12 January 1998.
John Byrne, pensioned Quartermaster, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 19 January 1998.
John Noone, pensioned Coast Building Tradesmen, died on 26 January 1998.
Mrs Florence Stewart, widow of Frank Stewart, pensioned Assistant Engineer, died on 30 January 1998.
Frank Ryan, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 18 February 1998.
Peter O'Connor, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 6 March 1998.
James Carolan, pensioned Fogsignalman, Lightvessel Service, died on 10 March 1998.
Michael Sweeney, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 24 March 1998.
Billy Hobbs, pensioned Fitting Shop Foreman, Lighthouse Depot, died on 5 June 1998.
Jim Dillon, pensioned Lightkeeper, died on 7 June 1998.
Capt Oscar O'Hehir, pensioned Commander, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 12 June 1998.
Jack Roche, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 15 August 1998.
Charlie Connolly, pensioned Principal Keeper, died on 30 August 1998.
Tom Mangan, pensioned Head Messenger and Hall Porter, Irish Lights Office, died on 5 September 1998.
Frank Stubbs, pensioned Boatswain, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 26 September 1998.
John Walker, Drawing Office Supervisor Grade I, Irish Lights Office, died on 5 October 1998 after 25 years' service.
Joe Lawless, pensioned Seaman, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 6 October 1998.
Alec Mullaney, temporary Third Engineer on contract, ilt Granuaile, died on 8 October 1998.
Michael Murphy, pensioned Greaser, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 13 October 1998.
Aidan Foley, Attendant Master Coningbeg Lightfloat, died on 19 October 1998, after 22 years' service.
Mrs Alice Keane, widow of Jack Keane, pensioned Second Officer, Lighthouse Tender Service, died on 22 October 1998.
Appreciations
Robert Shanks Commissioner of Irish Lights
The death in September of Robert Shanks, after a short illness, has deprived the Commissioners of Irish Lights of an energetic member of the Board who made a most valuable contribution, particularly in the area of tender design.
Robert Shanks was born in Belfast in 1939 and lived in the east of the city for virtually all his life. He was educated at Campbell College and at Queen's University where he took a degree in economics. He then joined the accountancy firm of J.H.R. Adams & Co where he stayed until the mid 1970s. After a short spell with Coopers & Lybrand he set up in private practice and acquired some business interests.
During the 1950s Robert Shanks joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a seaman. In due course he was commissioned, eventually becoming a very successful Commanding Officer of hms Caroline. He was Naval Aide-de-Camp to the Governors of Northern Ireland in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was also an enthusiastic yachtsman, having joined the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club as a youngster, eventually becoming the club's Commodore a few years ago. Further evidence of his love of the sea was apparent from the collection of books on marine matters at his home.
Since joining Irish Lights in 1994 Robert Shanks was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic member of the Board and a willing participant in a number of sub-committees, most notably as Chairman of the Ship Committee, formed to consider the replacement tender for the present ilt Granuaile. The high expectations for the new ship are in large measure a result of the accomplishments of the committee which he chaired. At sea, on working inspections, as well as ashore, he was an entertaining and agreeable companion who enjoyed easy relations with Commissioners and staff alike.
He is survived by his wife Liz and their son Nick.
M.M.
Aidan Foley Attendant Master, Coningbeg Lightfloat
IT IS WITH great sadness that I learnt of the death of Aidan Foley, Attendant Master of the Coningbeg Lightfloat.
Aidan's passing was a great shock to his family and to us all. At the age of 62 he enjoyed very good health. He was actively engaged in his community and in his work for the Irish Lights Service to the end. He took a great interest in his local football team's progress towards the County Championship, and celebrated their success with them in The Templars the night before passing away peacefully in his sleep.
He was famous in this Service not just for his rescue of the adrift lightfloat on two occasions, but for his quiet unassuming manner, his competence, seamanship and dedication. He was proud of his work for Irish Lights and proud of being Attendant Master.
Aiden was buried in his service uniform in Templetown Church graveyard on Wednesday 21 October.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and Service colleagues alike.
J.J.H.
John Walker Mechanical Drawing Office Supervisor
JOHN WALKER died suddenly on the 5 October 1998 at the age of 63.
John spent his early life in the shadow of Warwick Castle and was educated at in Coventry Grammer School. With his aptitude for mechanical drawing and mathematics he entered the machinery manufacturing industry. He had a keen interest in motor racing, motor bikes and motor bike racing, and in his youth raced bikes in some of the more famous venues in the UK. After marrying Sheila they came to Ireland; John worked in Co Cavan in machinery manufacturing and in Bord na Mona before joining Irish Lights as a technician in the Mechanical Drawing Office and became Drawing Office Supervisor on 1 May 1996. He was involved in buoys, beacons and perches design, engine room layouts, auto-mations, lantern dome replacements and, most recently, the dgps projects at Mizen Head, Loophead and Tory Island.
To many John's death has been not only the loss of a colleague but also of a dear friend. Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sheila and his daughter Geraldine.
P. O'D.