McGrath says voice of the people must be upheld in maintenance of St John’s Lighthouse beam
The SDLP’s Colin McGrath MLA has said that the voice of the people must be upheld and St John’s Lighthouse maintained with its sweeping beam.
Commenting, following a meeting with the Lecale Lightkeepers, the South Down MLA has said: “When we consider the wide range of tourist asset’s within the district, St John’s Lighthouse, literally stands head and shoulders above so many others.
“As the single tallest lighthouse on the island of Ireland, and one of the last to utilise a mercury-based sweeping beam.
“The Lighthouse really is synonymous with the beauty and ethos of the Lecale coastline, and provides a sense of security and consistency for so many people,.
“For over 170 years, this Lighthouse has been a navigational aid for those at sea.
“That it stands here today, and continues to operate a sweeping beam is a testament to the local community and Lecale Lightkeepers who have led the campaign to maintain this system.
“I fear that modernisation of the lighthouse with LED lights would be an unnecessary step and detrimental to the heritage and unique nature of the lighthouse given their unreliable nature.
“I have written to the Commissioners of Irish Lights to voice my support to maintain the sweeping and to re-emphasise that our local Council, elected by the people of this district, took a corporate position to maintain the sweeping beam in 2018, and so the voice of the people must be upheld.”
