Tory Island (CIL) |
Photo with the kind permission of the Irish Lighthouse Board. Please note that any items in RED means there is a fuller version relating to this particular name or subject, which can be found in the Main Search index. Position: 55°16.4' North 8°14.9' West Location: Tory Island Lighthouse tower built: (1828-32) Composition of tower: Granite Designer: George Halpin (jnr) Builder: Ballast Board Height of tower: 88 ft 6 ins (27 m) Focal plane of light: 131 ft 3 ins (40 m) above mean high water Light first lit: 1st August 1832 Light characteristic: Fl (4) W 30 secs Visible range of light: nominal 27 nautical miles. Radar Beacon: Morse 'M' on vessel's radar display. Fog Signal: Established 1887 - Discontinued August 1994 Automated: March 1990 History: A lighthouse on Tory Island was requested by the Harbour Commissioners and Merchants of Sligo in April 1828. Approval for the project was granted by the Ballast Board in November and Statutory Sanction was received from Trinity House in December 1828. The tower and buildings were designed by Inspector George Halpin and built by the workmen of the Board under his supervision. The light was established on 1st August 1832. The tower is 88 ft 6 ins (27 m) high and the light 131 ft 3 ins (40 m) above sea level, highwater. A dioptric lens with multi-wick oil lamp replaced the original oil lamps and reflectors in 1862. A major alteration was made to the optic in 1887. The lens revolved thus giving a flashing character and the light source was coal gas which lasted until 1923. Gas was made in the gas works at the station. From 1923 until 1972 the light source was vaporised paraffin and from 1972 electric. A fog signal was established in 1887. It was discontinued in August 1994. The station was automated and, as a consequence, the Keepers were withdrawn at the end of March 1990. |
