Metal Man (beacon)
 Metal Man beacon | |
 | |
| Location | County Sligo, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°18′13″N 8°34′32″W / 54.30361°N 8.57556°W |
| Constructed | 1819 |
| Construction | Cast-iron, metal-plate |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1821 |
| Focal height | 3 m (9.8 ft)  |
| Range | 7 nmi (13 km; 8.1 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl(3) W 6.1s |
The Metal Man is a beacon in County Sligo, Ireland.
History
The Metal Man is a freestanding painted cast iron statue of a Royal Navy petty officer. It is placed between Rosses Point and Oyster Island. It was cast in 1819 by Thomas Kirke in London.[1]
It was placed on Perch Rock in 1821. It was originally made for the Blackrock Beacon, but Sligo merchants suggested it be placed on Perch Rock. It has an identical twin beacon the Metal Man, Tramore, County Waterford. From 16 October 1908, an acetylene light was placed beside him. In 1934, it changed from a single Red flash every 3 seconds to a Double Red Flash every 5 seconds. From 2003, it was converted from gas to solar power and only illuminates at night.[2][3]
The Metal Man was painted by Jack Butler Yeats a number of times including Memory Harbour.[4][5]
Current status
There is a campaign undertaken by a local group which has been highlighting the deteriorating condition of the beacon called Save the Metal Man.[4][3]
See also
References
- ^ "Metal Man Beacon, SLIGO BAY, Rosses Point, County Sligo". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ "Metal Man (Co Sligo)". Commissioners of Irish Lights. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ a b Galvin, Ciara (25 May 2019). "We will paint Metal Man ourselves". Sligo Champion. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ a b McDonagh, Marese (5 August 2019). "Metal Man in danger of toppling into sea, say campaigners". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ Kennedy, Roisin. "The Metal Man". The Model, Sligo. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
