Great Lighthouses of Ireland S01E03 · Witnesses to History

Overview

In the third episode, we discover the surprising roles that lighthouse keepers played in both World Wars. As the First World War raged around Ireland’s coast, our lighthouse keepers acted as unofficial coastguards, keeping detailed logs of their observations. In the Second World War an Irish lighthouse keeper played a decisive role in the outcome. We travel to Blacksod Bay, Co. Mayo where in 1944 lighthouse keeper Ted Sweeney took a weather reading which was to determine the entire timing of the allied invasion on D Day.

Torrents

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Episodes

1. 1 1. A Nation Surrounded2018-09-30Ireland’s lighthouses are vital to the nation’s survival. As an island nation, almost everything we consume from food, to electronics, fuel and vehicles arrive by sea. Lighthouses
2. 2 2. Feats of Engineering2018-10-07In the second episode, we discover how Ireland became a world leader in lighthouse engineering. Often working in hostile and treacherous natural locations, Ireland’s lighthouse eng
3. 3 3. Witnesses to History2018-10-14In the third episode, we discover the surprising roles that lighthouse keepers played in both World Wars. As the First World War raged around Ireland’s coast, our lighthouse keeper
4. 4 4. A Bright Future2018-10-21In the last episode of the series, former lighthouse keeper Richard Foran makes a poignant return trip to the Skelligs lighthouse which was his final posting before the lighthouse