Lockdown Lookback: Vincent and the Lighthouse, Co.Mayo

Whenever there are days like these, I think of Castlebar Urban District Council.
Today, the wind is from the West and a stiff one too, bringing with it rain.
Back in the 70s, Castlebar UDC members objected to weather forecasters telling the public that "bad weather is coming in from the West". They claimed that it gave the West, and places in it like Castlebar, a bad name.
This was picked up by a satirical TV show at the time, "Hall's Pictorial Weekly", who made merciless fun of the UDC.
Out beyond Castlebar, even further west, is Blacksod, where Vincent Sweeney works in the lighthouse. He has no trouble flagging bad weather coming in off the Atlantic.
In fact, it's a proud family tradition.
His mother gathered the weather readings there in 1944 which, when transmitted to London, led to a postponement of the D-Day landings.
This, according to Vincent, saved thousands of lives.
No laughing matter.
Enjoy.
All the best,
Ronan

[@HamOnHill]

Another great story Ronan, thanks for your delightful videos.

[@adacamargos639]

I always love your videos but this one made me cry twice 💗💗💗🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for your work, Ronan Kelly.
Ada Lussy Camargos

[@patmurphy389]

Thank you Ronan, really loved the story. (The pirates in key west, florida used to shine lights on the shore too, to make ships wreck!)

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Don’t see why Dun Loaghaire has to be the first know if something has to go wrong

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Does he live in it

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Does Vincent live in Blacksod lighthouse