Oileán: Solas na dTonn, Toraigh
The first programme in the series is OILEÁN: Solas na dTonn
Tory island is famed and infamous for many things from its artists to the sinking of the Cabin Fever boat. Tory is the first sight of land for shipping crossing the north atlantic and for 175 years the Tory Lighthouse has been keeping watch. 11kms off the coast of Donegal Tory could be another country and it certainly is another world. Light-Keepers like corncrakes are an endangered species - tonight two Seán's tell it like it was.
Seán Ó Fatharta from Inis Meáin first came to Tory as a lightkeeper in 1968. It was his first station so Tory is special. Seán was one of the first lightkeepers to work on the island who spoke Irish and as an islandman himself he fitted in easily.
Seán Doherty is from Malin head in Donegal. He grew up in the shadow of the Inishowen light house where his family's shop supplied the lighthouse. Today he's one of the longest serving lightkeepers on the coast having spent over 40years working with the Commissioners of Irish Lights. He's witnessed huge changes to the service down the decades - but while the technology has changed the dedication remains the same.
One thing automation and solarisation has not changed is the constant battle with the elements to keep the Lighthouses weatherproof & in good repair. Two painters - John Gallagher and John Joyce have the unenviable challenge to paint the lighthouse from top to bottom, inside and out. Each tower around the coast is individually identified not only by the character of the light but also by the daymark - Tory has broad black & white horizontal bands. In a marine environment it's a constant battle against rust - but as John Joyce comments philosophically "..Rust don't knock it - rust is the painter's friend."
Antain Ó Mianáin paints the Tory Lighthouse as well - but with artists oil paints rather than immulsion & rust primer. One of the famous Tory painters he's got one of the most unique mobile studios - a red Massey Ferguson tractor.
Anne Marie Nic Ruaidhrí, as an islander, grew up with the lighthouse. For her it was a link to the outside world. Her father worked occasionally as a relief lightkeeper and as a child she would often spend nights with her father in the lighthouse listening to the radio chatter and watching the beam reach out across the sea. The lighthouse is full of warm memories.
Producer: Kevin Cummins
Researcher: Facthna Ó'Drisceoil
