Fastnet 100
Celebrations at Crookhaven, Co. Cork
THE BUILDING of the second Fastnet tower was surely the zenith of lighthouse construction in Ireland. In these days of satellite and electronic aids to navigation it is difficult to remember that in the early 1900s navigation was comparatively crude, dependent on clear skies for sun and star fixes, and on the observation of coastal lights and marks. Lighthouse towers projecting beams of light out to sea were of enormous significance and were built all around our coasts to assist mariners in their perilous profession.
Construction of the first tower at the Fastnet had begun in 1849 and was completed in 1853. However, it turned out that there was a lack of confidence in the ability of the tower to withstand the forces of the sea, and when a similar tower on Calf Rock was washed away in 1881 it was decided to replace the Fastnet with a new construction. Work began in 1896 and took seven years to complete. James Kavanagh was Foreman on the project and laid every stone himself by hand. The great tragedy was that Mr Kavanagh died before the light was actually lit.
The Irish Lights Board determined to mark the centenary by unveiling two identical plaques, one at Crookhaven, and one at Rock Island which was where the cut stones were assembled. The commemorative events took place on 29 June 2003. The Commissioners' guest of honour was James Kavanagh. Not the same man, but the grandson of the Foreman, who also worked for many years in Irish Lights as a Coast Building Tradesman.
In a year that will surely be remembered as one of the warmest and driest in years, 29 June turned out to be one of the wettest and most miserable days in the south-west! However, undaunted by rain and gales, the guests heard the Chairman of the Board, Terence Johnson, remind everyone of the immensity of scale of the undertaking and the skill of the men who carried out the vision. James Kavanagh replied on behalf of the guests and justifiably noted the family pride and commitment in serving the mariner through the generations.
There was a huge entry for the art competition which was held for the children of the national schools in Crookhaven and Goleen. Lisa O'Driscoll won first prize in the under 8 competition and the runner up was Máiread Supple. Lily Little won the 8-13 age group first prize and Adam Riley was the runner up. Prizes were awarded and subsequently the winners were taken on a trip around the Fastnet on ILV Granuaile, accompanied by their families. Many thanks to all who participated, and to the teachers and adjudicators.
The pleasant duty of the Chairman was to unveil a plaque commemorating the men who built the Fastnet. This event took place in the Crookhaven Sailing Club where the plaque is now temporarily housed. With the assistance of the County Council and the local community it is planned to construct a more permanent monument in Crookhaven in the coming year. There was an informal gathering in the local pub prior to preparing for the second ceremony and embarking on the Wet and Wild (a local boat, obviously well named for the occasion!) for the short passage to Rock Island.
As the rain pelted down the second plaque was formally unveiled with due ceremony and the participants hastened into the lighthouse dwellings for some warming spirit. The wording on the plaques is as follows:
This plaque commemorates the centenary of the second Fastnet Lighthouse.
The tower was designed by
Mr William Douglass, Engineer
to the Commissioners of Irish Lights and built under the direction of Mr CW Scott
and Mr James Kavanagh who set every stone of the tower between 1896 and 1903.
The Lighthouse was completed in 1903 and the main light was first exhibited on 27th June 1904.
In memory of those who built this masterpiece of lighthouse engineering for the
safety of all mariners.
This plaque was unveiled by the Chairman of the Commissioners of Irish Lights,
Mr TC Johnson.
THE BUILDING of the second Fastnet tower was surely the zenith of lighthouse construction in Ireland. In these days of satellite and electronic aids to navigation it is difficult to remember that in the early 1900s navigation was comparatively crude, dependent on clear skies for sun and star fixes, and on the observation of coastal lights and marks. Lighthouse towers projecting beams of light out to sea were of enormous significance and were built all around our coasts to assist mariners in their perilous profession.
Construction of the first tower at the Fastnet had begun in 1849 and was completed in 1853. However, it turned out that there was a lack of confidence in the ability of the tower to withstand the forces of the sea, and when a similar tower on Calf Rock was washed away in 1881 it was decided to replace the Fastnet with a new construction. Work began in 1896 and took seven years to complete. James Kavanagh was Foreman on the project and laid every stone himself by hand. The great tragedy was that Mr Kavanagh died before the light was actually lit.
The Irish Lights Board determined to mark the centenary by unveiling two identical plaques, one at Crookhaven, and one at Rock Island which was where the cut stones were assembled. The commemorative events took place on 29 June 2003. The Commissioners' guest of honour was James Kavanagh. Not the same man, but the grandson of the Foreman, who also worked for many years in Irish Lights as a Coast Building Tradesman.
In a year that will surely be remembered as one of the warmest and driest in years, 29 June turned out to be one of the wettest and most miserable days in the south-west! However, undaunted by rain and gales, the guests heard the Chairman of the Board, Terence Johnson, remind everyone of the immensity of scale of the undertaking and the skill of the men who carried out the vision. James Kavanagh replied on behalf of the guests and justifiably noted the family pride and commitment in serving the mariner through the generations.
There was a huge entry for the art competition which was held for the children of the national schools in Crookhaven and Goleen. Lisa O'Driscoll won first prize in the under 8 competition and the runner up was Máiread Supple. Lily Little won the 8-13 age group first prize and Adam Riley was the runner up. Prizes were awarded and subsequently the winners were taken on a trip around the Fastnet on ILV Granuaile, accompanied by their families. Many thanks to all who participated, and to the teachers and adjudicators.
The pleasant duty of the Chairman was to unveil a plaque commemorating the men who built the Fastnet. This event took place in the Crookhaven Sailing Club where the plaque is now temporarily housed. With the assistance of the County Council and the local community it is planned to construct a more permanent monument in Crookhaven in the coming year. There was an informal gathering in the local pub prior to preparing for the second ceremony and embarking on the Wet and Wild (a local boat, obviously well named for the occasion!) for the short passage to Rock Island.
As the rain pelted down the second plaque was formally unveiled with due ceremony and the participants hastened into the lighthouse dwellings for some warming spirit. The wording on the plaques is as follows:
This plaque commemorates the centenary of the second Fastnet Lighthouse.
The tower was designed by
Mr William Douglass, Engineer
to the Commissioners of Irish Lights and built under the direction of Mr CW Scott
and Mr James Kavanagh who set every stone of the tower between 1896 and 1903.
The Lighthouse was completed in 1903 and the main light was first exhibited on 27th June 1904.
In memory of those who built this masterpiece of lighthouse engineering for the
safety of all mariners.
This plaque was unveiled by the Chairman of the Commissioners of Irish Lights,
Mr TC Johnson.