Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Metal Man Light, Sligo


Probably the most unusual light in Ireland, the Metal Man was ushered into being after a number of wrecks on the Perch Rock near Oyster Island and Rosses Point. 12 feet tall and weighing seven tons, this naval petty officer was one of four cast by Thomas Kirke in 1819. A second one stands on a headland in Tramore county Waterford. The other two have vanished, probably carousing somewhere.
The Metal Man was originally earmarked for Blackrock Beacon further out to sea. Thankfully Perch Rock prevailed and the statue is easily seen from Rosses Point, often with a gull or two on his head.


These days he acts in conjunction with the light on Oyster Island to guide ships into Sligo Harbour. The light was added in 1908 and converted to propane gas in 1979. He has been depicted in many drawings by Jack Yeats and others. 


see also here

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