Following the anouncement by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that the light mechanism in St John’s Lighthouse near Killough was to be removed and replaced by a LED light, a number of local people have come together to voice their concerns at the change in the iconic sweeping beam that so many are familiar with who live in the Lecale area and who visit there.
South Down MLA Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) has described plans to remove the famous sweeping beam from St John’s Point Lighthouse on the Lecale coast as “madness.”
Following discussions with local residents opposed to the replacement of the existing lamp, the local MLA said he was “disappointed” that the Commissioners of Irish Lights seem “determined to ride roughshod over the local community.”
[caption id="attachment_54732" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
St John’s Lighthouse is at the centre of a public controversy.[/caption]
Mr Hazzard said: “St John’s Point Lighthouse is one of Ireland’s iconic locations and is held in deep affection by many in our local community.
“The sweeping beam light provided currently by the lighthouse is a quintessential feature of the Lecale coastline – and should be protected.
“I have written to the Commissioners of Irish Lights to echo the anger of the local community at plans to replace the historic lamp with an LED light. They must consider the views of the local community in Lecale and indeed further afield.”
Mr Hazzard added: “The lighthouse at St John’s Point has a fantastic history, and I welcome the notion that we can utilise such a heritage in attracting visitors to the Lecale area – but this needs to be done in partnership with the local coastal community.
“I have asked Irish Lights to work with the local community in developing an agreed way forward – we can surely find an accommodation that respects and enhances the heritage of the Lighthouse without hallowing out the main attraction itself.”
Eileen Peters, local campaigner rallying support to keep the historic lights, explained: “I do feel that the argument to instal LED lights and remove the old lights that revolve on a bath of mercury is just a red herring. Irish Lights have an agreement with the British Government and have agreed to cut their costs by 30%. So I feel this is about cutting costs and not about the dangers to the environment over the riosk of mercury.
“Our campaign has the great support of local people, businesses and organisations on the Killough and wider area. I have even been talking to a gentleman in Minnesota in Lake Superior in the US who ran a similar campaign. This lake is the biggest fresh water lake in the world and the US authorities have allowed their lighthouse to remain intact which has a mercury bath. They have been very supportive to our cause.
“The LED light is basically just like a car headlight and these “Flash Harry’ lights do not have the same character as the old lighthouse beam that everyone is so attached to. The St John’s Lighthouse can be seen as far as the Isle of Man.
“I understand that bird watchers around Donaghadee also managed to block Irish Lights in trying to remove the old mercury bath lights system from one lighthouse in North Down as they were concerned about the effect and LED would have on the bird population.
“Also, I don’t believe that an LED light is that much more efficient either from a cost point-of-view.
“We support the whole idea of the lighthouse being part of the heritage trail, but Irish Lights just have not understood our attachment to the old light.
“A meeting has been organised in the old SPAR Supermarket in Ardglass by the Harbour on Saturday 14 March at 2pm. Everyone is welcome. There will be an exhibition of paintings and a poetry reading before the meeting begins.”
Ardglass fisherman Stephen Kearney, Chairman of the Fishermen of Northern Ireland group, said: “The Ardglass trawlers pay anything from £200 up to £500 for their annual Irish Lights fees. We really support this economically.
“Basically, the light is of no real significance to the fishing fleet as we have all the navigational aids aboard that we need such as radar. I understand that local yachters and boaters do not make any contribution to the Irish lights.
“I suppose we are attached to the sweeping light as it is something we are familiar with over the years, but it is of no great significance to the local trawler fleet.”
]]>
