Last Sight of Ireland
Inishtrahull is home to the most northern Irish lighthouse. The lighthouse was first put into operation in 1813 largely because ships of the British Navy had begun to use Lough Foyle. Today its light flashes every 30 seconds. The ruins of the old lighthouse as well as a new (1956) lighthouse can be found on the island. Automation of the lighthouse was completed in March 1987 and the last three Lighthousekeepers left the station on 30 April 1987. Over the centuries, Ireland has been the source of millions of emigrants bound for the “New World” across the Atlantic. For many of those emigrants, especially those who departed from Derry, Inistrahull and its lighthouse had a special significance. As one emigrant recalled:
“ was quite pleasant for a while. There was, however, one milestone to pass, Inishtrahull lighthouse off the coast of Donegal was the last glimpse emigrants would have of Ireland everyone stayed on deck until it disappeared. They stayed on when they couldn’t see it anymore because the more keen sighted kept saying it is still there. When the sharp eyed ones admitted the light had faded all frivolity ceased, handkerchiefs came out and there was much sniffing as we drifted to our staterooms. The next stop was New York”
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