A dream come true for Liam Griffith when he gets to see the how the Hook Lighthouse works.
The Dream Machine offers 'Youngline' viewers the chance to write in and request for their dream to come true. This week, it is the turn of Liam Griffith from Waterford, whose wish to visit the Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford is granted.
Lighthouse keeper Jimmy brings Liam Griffith and 'Youngline' presenter Hilary Orpen up the 153 steps through the lighthouse. He reveals the Hook was built on a monastery, and the monks' cells remain to this day. The Hook is the oldest lighthouse in Europe.
The light is here since 1172.
Liam Griffith understands that Saint Dubhán had a beacon on the site in the fifth century. He also knows that a ghost has been present in the lighthouse since the 12th century.
At the top of the lighthouse is the lantern. Jimmy explains that the power of the light is 480,000 candlepower and the range of the light is 24 miles in clear visibility.
Every lighthouse has a different character; this one is one flash every three seconds.
The lenses are polished every morning. Liam Griffith is allowed to clean a lens with a dry cloth.
This episode of 'Youngline' was broadcast on 20 October 1980. The presenter is Hilary Orpen.
‘Youngline’ was a once weekly, half-hour magazine show for younger viewers. The first programme was broadcast on Tuesday, 23 November, 1976 and continued until May 1984.
