Attendants of Fastnet Lighthouse
Dick O'Driscoll has been Attendant of Fastnet
Lighthouse since the station was automated.
After serving an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner Dick joined Irish Lights as a Supernumerary Assistant Keeper in 1959. He was promoted to Assistant Keeper in 1961 and served at Rathlin O'Birne, Tuskar, Skelligs, Fastnet, Mizen Head, and Inishtearaght.
On promotion to Principal Keeper in 1982 he was assigned to Fastnet and he has been in charge of the station since then.
Dick remained as Principal Keeper of Fastnet for the first two years of automatic operation. He took early retirement on 31 March 1991 and was appointed Attendant Fastnet Lighthouse from the next day. He is also Assistant Attendant of Bull Rock Lighthouse.
Ronnie O'Driscoll joined the Service as a Supernumerary Assistant Keeper in 1974. Based at Baily he served for short periods as a relief keeper at various stations until promotion to Assistant Keeper in 1976. He served at Maidens, Bull Rock, Ballycotton, Kish, and Mizen Head. While he was stationed at Bull Rock during the construction of a new helipad in 1979 when readymix concrete was being underslung to the site by helicopter, one of the workers slipped on wet concrete and was swept over the overhanging edge of the partially constructed helipad by the downwash of the helicopter.
At great personal risk Ronnie ran across the helipad, below the hovering helicopter and, without hesitation, threw himself face down on the wet concrete to catch hold of the workman. He then climbed over the edge to help the man down the supporting scaffolding to safety. Ronnie was awarded the Commissioners' gold medal for conspicuous bravery in recognition of his action.
He took early retirement in July 1992 to become Attendant of Bull Rock Lighthouse and Assistant Attendant of Fastnet.
After serving an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner Dick joined Irish Lights as a Supernumerary Assistant Keeper in 1959. He was promoted to Assistant Keeper in 1961 and served at Rathlin O'Birne, Tuskar, Skelligs, Fastnet, Mizen Head, and Inishtearaght.
On promotion to Principal Keeper in 1982 he was assigned to Fastnet and he has been in charge of the station since then.
Dick remained as Principal Keeper of Fastnet for the first two years of automatic operation. He took early retirement on 31 March 1991 and was appointed Attendant Fastnet Lighthouse from the next day. He is also Assistant Attendant of Bull Rock Lighthouse.
Ronnie O'Driscoll joined the Service as a Supernumerary Assistant Keeper in 1974. Based at Baily he served for short periods as a relief keeper at various stations until promotion to Assistant Keeper in 1976. He served at Maidens, Bull Rock, Ballycotton, Kish, and Mizen Head. While he was stationed at Bull Rock during the construction of a new helipad in 1979 when readymix concrete was being underslung to the site by helicopter, one of the workers slipped on wet concrete and was swept over the overhanging edge of the partially constructed helipad by the downwash of the helicopter.
At great personal risk Ronnie ran across the helipad, below the hovering helicopter and, without hesitation, threw himself face down on the wet concrete to catch hold of the workman. He then climbed over the edge to help the man down the supporting scaffolding to safety. Ronnie was awarded the Commissioners' gold medal for conspicuous bravery in recognition of his action.
He took early retirement in July 1992 to become Attendant of Bull Rock Lighthouse and Assistant Attendant of Fastnet.