Mutton Island Lighthouse Restoration Project
By Bill Scanlan
Once again during Heritage Week 2006, Mutton Island was
revisited. We were fortunate that weather conditions were
favourable throughout. Many visitors appear to be making it an
annual event-we are beginning to greet each other as old friends.
John Hamilton must now be regarded as one of those, as must our US
friend Kevin Doyle of South Carolina. Kevin is married to Cecilia
Stocker, daughter of Cecil (320) and sister of Lennie (471).
Cecilia's grandfather, Cecil (102) retired from Mutton Island in
1928.
The restoration is progressing well. The roofs are now completed and much of the internal plastering has been redone. The fás group, under the excellent stewardship of Michael Davis, is doing a wonderful job and while not engaged internally is working on the restoration of the boundary walls.
Work of this nature is never predictable and Mutton Island is indeed turning up its own surprises. While removing the timber floor in the bedroom at the front of the house, at the eastern end, a surprise floor of Yorkshire flags was uncovered underneath. Viewing the manner in which the flags were laid, it appears that all floors were originally of Yorkshire flags when laid c. 1816. The original flagged floor in the hall is in perfect condition. This type of floor had obvious advantages. It has proven that it is a stable, hard wearing floor and is, of course, easy to maintain and hygienic. Our wonderful old Carbolecene did a marvellous job on them.
The lantern has been glazed temporarily with perspex which is of great benefit in the preservation of the tower itself and the handrail and steps.
May I, once again, appeal to anyone who served on Mutton Island or who had a relative who served there, to forward his name and dates of service to the following address-
Mr Jim Higgins,
City Heritage Officer,
City Hall,
College Road,
Galway.
This will enable us to complete the Roll of Honour of all those who served there. It will be displayed when the project is completed. We would appreciate your participation.
The assistance of the Heritage Officer, Jim Higgins, in all aspects of the restoration is invaluable. His enthusiasm and dedication is obvious.
To participate in the walks to the Island you should apply to The Manager, Galway Civic Trust, The Arts Centre, Dominick Street, Galway.
Perhaps you will join us in 2007.
Bill Scanlan is a retired Lighthouse Keeper now living in Co. Galway. He lived at Mutton Island Lighthouse as a boy when his father was Principal Keeper there.
The restoration is progressing well. The roofs are now completed and much of the internal plastering has been redone. The fás group, under the excellent stewardship of Michael Davis, is doing a wonderful job and while not engaged internally is working on the restoration of the boundary walls.
Work of this nature is never predictable and Mutton Island is indeed turning up its own surprises. While removing the timber floor in the bedroom at the front of the house, at the eastern end, a surprise floor of Yorkshire flags was uncovered underneath. Viewing the manner in which the flags were laid, it appears that all floors were originally of Yorkshire flags when laid c. 1816. The original flagged floor in the hall is in perfect condition. This type of floor had obvious advantages. It has proven that it is a stable, hard wearing floor and is, of course, easy to maintain and hygienic. Our wonderful old Carbolecene did a marvellous job on them.
The lantern has been glazed temporarily with perspex which is of great benefit in the preservation of the tower itself and the handrail and steps.
May I, once again, appeal to anyone who served on Mutton Island or who had a relative who served there, to forward his name and dates of service to the following address-
Mr Jim Higgins,
City Heritage Officer,
City Hall,
College Road,
Galway.
This will enable us to complete the Roll of Honour of all those who served there. It will be displayed when the project is completed. We would appreciate your participation.
The assistance of the Heritage Officer, Jim Higgins, in all aspects of the restoration is invaluable. His enthusiasm and dedication is obvious.
To participate in the walks to the Island you should apply to The Manager, Galway Civic Trust, The Arts Centre, Dominick Street, Galway.
Perhaps you will join us in 2007.
Bill Scanlan is a retired Lighthouse Keeper now living in Co. Galway. He lived at Mutton Island Lighthouse as a boy when his father was Principal Keeper there.