It would probably be more impressive on a clear dry day but on our wet and windy day, we probably got an understanding as to how unpleasant life on the island may have been.
What struck me most was the size of the lightbulb that, through the use of mirrors, is magnified to travel for some distances out the bay.
If a bulb fails, a signal is sent to harbour office, who can automatically switch to the next of 6 bulbs in the chamber of bulbs (only one bulb lit at any one time).
This was the first lighthouse that I have visited – I suspect it may become the first of many. There was so much learnt – the island was ‘bought’ for £85 but the seller(s) are unknown; it was built in famine times commencing in 1848 with the light turned on in 1854.
There is no running water on the island so the rainwater was, and still is, harvested for use. There has never been mains electricity on the island - relying on generators unlike Inishvickillane, which was provided with an ‘experimental’ €160,000 wind generating plant at no cost in 1974. The lighthouse is now solar powered. The old generator was replaced in 1976 and the current generator is serving the lights in the house and the plant room.
The 1901 census showed a family of 7 children with the father as light-house keeper and his wife as assistant. I think six siblings to keep a child occupied may be preferable to a sole child in the 1911 census. We were told that lighthouse keepers were regularly transferred which explained the different locations of birth of the children.
The cut stonework in the cappings and particularly the spiral stairs was so impressive – all cantilevered from the external wall – even more so when it had to be brought by boat to the island and then lifted into place.
It was explained that the lighthouse is also navigational to direct boats into Fenit harbour on the white light – if in red or green, the boat need to turn back to white light for safe passage.
The lighthouse was automated in 1954. The keeper was retained until 1956 when the property was vacated.
I now appreciate the attraction of a short break in a lighthouse cottage – but Fenit is not yet in that market.
If in Kerry, the trip to the lighthouse is highly recommended. It can be booked through the Fenit Harbour Office.