Sorry I have been a bit absent the last couple of days but yesterday we were out with the walking group, then out for lunch and today I have been to keep fit class this morning and then out for lunch again with friends. Hopefully I will catch up later tonight.
Today's Fingal Island photo is of the remains of the lighthouse keeper's cottages. When the lighthouse was built in 1862 three keeper's residences were also built to accommodate the head lighthouse keeper and his family plus two assistant keepers and their families. The three residences were occupied until 1973 when the lighthouse became automatic, and the keepers departed.
Following automation of the lighthouse a group of people maintained the keeper's residences and in 1974 the National Trust was given the lease and assumed responsibility for its conservation. The lease expired on the 3 September 1991. While they were debating who was to take responsibility of the residences a group of vandals walked over The Spit and set fire to the keeper's residences and this photo show what is left of them. It is so sad that a part of the history of the island has disappeared.
The residences have been made safe here and the chimneys were demolished after the fire.
If you click on the link below you can see what the residences looked like in the 1890s.
Such an interesting story but one where it would be realised to be normal. Imagine the camaraderie between these lighthouse keepers. Maybe someone wrote a book?
@maggiemae yes someone did write a book, John Clarke the chap who took us on the tour is a retired local teacher and fisherman. He has written a few books about our area including one about Fingal Island called The Outer Light.
Lovely shot and scenery. So sad to hear about vandals destroying what is not their own. Some people will never learn, no matter how high the fines are if they are caught.
( No, Have to many books myself >)