Donegal is renowned for its rugged landscape, but even the wildest locations need some TLC.
A huge painting operation is underway at Fanad Lighthouse to get the tower gleaming for summer.
And the question on everyone’s lips is – what kind of paint can last in such an exposed location?
Dulux Weathershield is the brand of choice for the landmark, the lighthouse team has revealed.
Tower painters at work at Fanad Lighthouse this week
The lights may shine, but Manager Eimear Ní Mhathúna says it’s no easy task keeping the beautiful structure as bright.
“To paint the outside of the tower alone, it has taken a team of 3 people 2 days. The rest of the building also took a number of days,” Ní Mhathúna tells Donegal Daily.
“A lighthouse should be painted every 5-7 years but as we are part of the Great Lighthouse of Ireland tourism initiative and want to look our iconic building to look its best, Fanad Lighthouse gets a complete exterior paint job every 5 years.
“There is a lot of upkeep with a heritage building like this which is so at the mercy of the elements and the salty sea spray.”
Tower painters at work at Fanad Lighthouse this week
The tower painters are from a Waterford-based company contracted to paint lighthouses for the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Forbairt Fhánada employed local man Michael Shields to paint the rest of the lighthouse building. The weather hasn’t been on their side, but they’ve done an outstanding job, says Ní Mhathúna.
“Painting a lighthouse is obviously a huge job and it can be hard to get a weather window to complete the task. We are absolutely delighted with the final result – it looks absolutely beautiful and it’s great to be opening for the summer season with the lighthouse looking so well. “
The lighthouse is set to be top of the list for many staycationers this summer, with the three lighthouse keepers’ cottages already booked up until September.
“I think everyone is looking forward to being able to get out and about now that restrictions have finally eased,” says Rosie Nic Cionnaith, Marketing Officer.
“For day visitors we have now opened our grounds, café and craft shop for Saturdays and Sundays in May. We will be opening for self-guided tours of the grounds and buildings 6 days a week in June and hopefully every day through July and August.
“The tower will most likely remain closed to visitors in 2021, but you can still go through the base of the building from June.”
Fanad Lighthouse. Photo: Tom Archer
The team is adding to their exhibition all the time and have commissioned local craftsman Martin Clinton of Carraig na Rón to make two stunning interactive wooden exhibition pieces which will be launched soon. The pieces were funded by a recent grant from the Heritage Council.
Nic Cionnaith says: “We had a good, albeit short, season last year between restrictions and are hoping to be popular with visitors again this year. It’s a good location for social distancing as a lot of our site is outdoors, our staff have undertaken Fáilte Ireland COVID safety training and I think this type of low-density, rural attraction is likely to appeal to people this summer as a safe place to visit during the holidays.”
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