|
|
Moville's 'Eiffel Tower' gets a
makeover
13.08.08
RESTORATION work on the
19th Century Moville Light in Lough Foyle has been
completed by Londonderry Port and Harbour
Commissioners (LPHC).
The small lighthouse has long been a symbolic image
for the town and many local organisations such as
the boat club, GAA and local schools use it in their
logo.
“Moville Light is the Eiffel Tower of Moville,” says
LPHC harbour master Bill McCann from Shrove.
“Everybody associates Moville with the lighthouse
and there is a sense of pride surrounding it. It
also plays a vital role in guiding shipping safely
through Lough Foyle.” |
|
Captain McCann said the
restoration work involved replacing the handrail
round the outside and the door of the housing on
top, as well as refurbishing the housing and
painting the cast iron structure. The lighthouse
which was installed in the 1800s is one of just
three of its kind remaining in Ireland, with the
other two in |
 |
Dundalk and Cobh, according to
the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Bill McCann’s father, retired Captain Charlie
McCann, says he remembers when the lighthouse was
lit by a paraffin lamp, and a keeper would row out
at night, light it and remain overnight in the
single-roomed house on top in case the light went
out. Since then the lighthouse has been converted to
gas, and most recently to solar-power.
The lighthouse is a quarter mile offshore from the
town, is 13 metres high and has a distinctive white
house on top. It flashes once every 2.5 seconds and
is what is known as a 'sectored' light. This means
it flashes white or red, depending which way you
approach it. “The light is white when you are in
safely in the deeper water of the channel, but
flashes red when you veer towards Moville Bank
inshore,” says the harbour master.
The light can be seen from four miles away, and is
one of a network of now unmanned lighthouses around
the island. As on offshore lighthouse on the lough,
responsibility for its operation and maintenance
rests with the harbour board in Derry, who say they
are delighted that this latest restoration work is
now complete. |
|
