Lighthouses

LIGHTHOUSES
There are four lighthouses situated in this area namely Ballyglass, Eagle Island, Blackrock and Blacksod. Their presence indicates the indented nature of this coastline. They are under the control of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, whose role it is to provide and maintain navigation aids for shipping around the Irish coast. These lighthouses were previously fully manned, with the keepers or attendants residing in them for long periods of time. The tradition of manned lighthouses came to an end in 1997 when all lighthouses in Ireland became fully automated and are now monitored by computer. Attendants visit the lighthouses today to carry out repairs mainly.

The construction of towers on Eagle Island (one to the west and east) commenced in the 1830s and was completed by 1835. This station weathered severe storms which resulted in the destruction of the dwellings at the east station in 1894. The station here was discontinued in 1895 and the west tower remained in use. Electric light has been used to produce a signal since 1968, which is visible for 26 miles. Since 1937 a Radio Beacon has been in operation, which works in conjunction with 5 others to aid navigation – two in Ireland, one in Scotland, one in the Scilly Islands and one in France. The station has been automated since 1988.

Blackrock is situated north of Achill Island. Work commenced on the white circular tower which is built from stone cut from the rock in 1858 and was completed in 1864. The light is visible for 22 miles.

Blacksod lighthouse is situated on the mainland near the southern tip of the Mullet Pen. Completed in 1866 it was built of local cut granite. The station converted to electricity in 1967. In 1969 Blacksod became a helicopter base.

Eachléim has a strong maritime tradition, and this link with the sea is still an important facet in the economy here.

TITHE SOLAIS
Tá ceithre teach solais suite sa geeantar seo, ina measc Baile Glas, Oileán lolra, Carraig Dhubh agus An Fód Dubh. Tugann sé seo le tuiscint go bhfuil an cósta seo briste. Tá siad faoi chúram ‘Choimisiún na Soilse Gaelaeh’ a bhfuil sé de dhualgas orthu treoir a chur ar fáil do loing ar feadh cósta na hEireann. Roimhe seo bíodh fir ag tabhairt aire dóibh agus b’éigean dóibh tamall fada a chaitheamh ina gcónaí iontu. Cuireadh críoch leis an traidisiún seo i 1997 agus anois tá siad faoi chúram riomhairí.  Ní thugtar cuairt ar na tithe solais anois, ach amháin le deisiúchain a dhéanadh orthu.

Thosaigh siad ag tógail túranna ar Oileán na nlolrach (ceann ar an gcósta thiar agus ceann ar an gcósta thoir) in 1830 agus bhí siad réidh i 1835. Bhí an teach solais seo go mór in éadan na pléisce ag Ceann Iorrais agus is iomaí stoirm mhór a chuir sé de. Rinneadh dámaiste mór don áit chónaí ag an stáisiún thoir in 1894. B’eigean dóibh an stáisiún seo a dhúnadh i 1895 agus lean siad ar aghaidh leis an stáisiún thiar. Cuireadh tús le solas leictreach anseo i 1968, atá le feiceáil 26 mile ar siúl. Ón mbliain 1937 tá rabhcán raidio ar siúl, a oihríonn in éineacht le cúig cinn eile a cuidíonn le treoraíocht –  dhá cheann in Éirinn, ceann in Albain, ceann ar Oileáin Scilly agus ceann sa Fhrainc. Ta an stáisiún seo faoi churam riomhaire ó 1988.

Tá stáisiún na Carraige Duibhe suite ó thuaidh ó Oilcán Acla. Cuireadh tús le togáil an túir bháin chiorclaigh, atá tógtha as cloch na carraige, i 1858 agus cuireadh críoch leis an obair i 1864. Ta an solas le feiceáil 22 míle uaidh.

Tá teach solais An Fhóid Dhuibh lonnaithe ar an mórthir in aice leis an bpointe is fuide ó dheas den Mhuirthead. Críochnaíodh é in 1866 agus tá sé tógtha as an gcloch áitiúil éibhir. Cuireadh solas leictreach ann i 1967. Tógadh áit tuirlingte do héileacaptar ann i 1969.

Ta traidisiúin láidir muirí ag ceantar na hEachleime agus tá an nasc seo leis an bhfarraige fiór-thábhachtach in eacnamaíocht na háite.