Nancy and I are going on a 5 day tour with John next August. There is still room and he is looking for a few more people. Check out this page for information on the tour. I can't wait to see Fasnet that close. Come join us!

Extreme Lighthousing - Irish Style!

Skellig is not to be missed, unfortunately when I went my knee was out and I could not climb much past the end of the paved walking trail. But the boat ride out and around the island sure was fun. Make sure to look for the old tower to the north of the current tower.

Hmmm...this is interesting...very, very interesting...

John Eagle has joined the Collector Forums.

John Eagle recently sent me this email:

I am very much looking forward to taking you all on the Extreme Lighthouse Tour of Cork and Kerry lighthouses starting August 15th at the Castle Hotel in Bunratty where we will all meet up and I will give you a slide show of my lighthouse photography.The following day we will drive west to Loop Head, calling in to Kilcredaune on the way back where we will be given a tour inside the lighthouse, then it is over the Shannon and south to Little Samphire Island. Then we go to Cahirciveen for the night and if there is time we will go to Cromwell Point on Valentia Island. In the evening I hope to introduce you to Ken Roddy's father who was in the lighthouse service. The following day we go to the Skelligs, then head south to Beara stopping off in Kenmare for fish n chips in the best fish and chip shop in Ireland. The following day we will go by high speed rib to the Bull Rock, seeing Ardnakinna on the way, Calf and Roancarrig on the way back. In the evening I hope to arrange a meeting with Dick O'Driscoll who was the keeper at the Fastnet for many years. The following day we will go to the Heron's Cove where we will spend the night. Either that evening or early the following day we will go out to the Fastnet.We will also fit in a visit to the Mizen Head Visitor's Centre and the spectacular bridge spanning the gorge which has just been finished after a year of rebuilding.
I need to charge a total of 825 euros per person for this tour, which includes staying at the Castle Hotel in Bunratty. The price includes all boat trips, ferries, coach hire, accomodation and your's truly.

and the picture below of Ardnakinna taken December 23rd. It will be an amazing adventure.

More news! The cost has gone down to 695 euro. (currently that is $928 US) In order to reserve rooms, etc. John Eagle needs your reservation by Feb. 1st. Irish Lights has recently decided to charge us for entry to the lighthouses and this will be an additional cost shared among the group. John Eagle is still trying to work something out for the 3 or 4 lighthouses we plan to enter, so this cost isn't certain yet. I have been impressed by how conscientious and approachable John has been for any questions.
Check out the trip at 2011 Lighthouse Tour and if your have any questions, send him an email.

This tour is still open if you can join us. We could really use some more participants! If you are interested, use the link on the above page and send John Eagle a note.