Synopsis
Gerald Butler was one of Ireland's last lightkeepers. Until they were fully automated in the 1990s, Gerald spent over 21 years tending to many lighthouses around the coast of Ireland. In "The Lightkeeper" he recalls with passion the thrills, trials, tragedies, triumphs and dangers of serving on lighthouses such as Bull Rock, Mizen Head, the Old Head of Kinsale and the infamous Fastnet Rock. Throughout his captivating story, he recollects the terrible traumas of crews battling for their lives on mountainous seas, in horrendous, stormy conditions. He describes in detail the tragic 1979 Fastnet yacht race, which involved 3,000 competitors and more than 4,000 rescuers, and in which he played a vital role as a lighthouse keeper on the forbidding Fastnet Rock, towering over the storm-struck vessels as they struggled for survival. An affectionate portrayal of a different era, "The Lightkeeper" gives a unique insight into the lives and characters of lighthouse keepers, their families and the wider seafaring community
Table of Contents
Foreword, by John Gore-Grimes vii
Map of Principal Aids to Navigation Provided by
Commissioners of Irish Lights x
Prologue 1
1. One Life 4
2. Into the West 21
3. A Light on the Sea 30
4. A Keeper in the Making 41
5. Bull Rock 71
6. Fastnet Rock 86
7. Fastnet ‘79 96
8. Old Head of Kinsale 109
9. Mizen Head 114
10. A People Apart 121
11. Pastimes 126
12. On the Ocean Wave 131
13. The Kowloon Bridge 137
14. The Changeover 141
15. A Fitting Farewell 145
16. Fastnet Remembered 148
17. A Lesson for Life 153
Acknowledgements 161
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Gerry Butler is a former lightkeeper and Patricia Ahern is a full-time writer.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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The Lightkeeper: A Memoir
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The Liffey Press, Ireland, Dublin, 2012
ISBN 10: 1908308257
ISBN 13: 9781908308252
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Gerald Butler was one of Ireland's last lightkeepers. Until they were fully automated in the 1990s, Gerald spent over 21 years tending to many lighthouses around the coast of Ireland. In "The Lightkeeper" he recalls with passion the thrills, trials, tragedies, triumphs and dangers of serving on lighthouses such as Bull Rock, Mizen Head, the Old Head of Kinsale and the infamous Fastnet Rock. Throughout his captivating story, he recollects the terrible traumas of crews battling for their lives on mountainous seas, in horrendous, stormy conditions. He describes in detail the tragic 1979 Fastnet yacht race, which involved 3,000 competitors and more than 4,000 rescuers, and in which he played a vital role as a lighthouse keeper on the forbidding Fastnet Rock, towering over the storm-struck vessels as they struggled for survival. An affectionate portrayal of a different era, The Lightkeeper gives a unique insight into the lives and characters of lighthouse keepers, their families and the wider seafaring community. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR005681915
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