‘Extraordinary’ work of Wexford craftsman recognised as tributes paid to those who lost their lives at Tuskar Rock
Wexford PeopleWhile health and safety restrictions prevented the ceremony from taking place at the site of Damian McAleenan’s creation, there can be no doubting the importance and value of his contribution to the heritage of Rosslare Harbour.
All those who drive to and from the village, not to mention the Europort, will, at some point in their journey, pause to marvel at the replica of Tuskar Rock which stands proudly in the centre of the Ashfield Cross Roundabout.
Although the replica has been in place for over two years now, Damian’s creation has been formally recognised by the outgoing chair of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Councillor Ger Carthy who paid tribute to the craftsman at a special ceremony in the Harbour.
“When the RMD commissioned Damian to create a replica of the iconic Tuskar Rock Lighthouse, none of us could have anticipated the level of passion, dedication and respect he would bring to the project,” said Cllr Carthy.
Damian McAleenan at the Tuskar Rock replica at Ashfield Cross Roundabout on Saturday. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell
“From the outset, Damian approached the task as much more than just a construction project. The extraordinary attention to detail incorporated in the replica has resulted in a truly special piece that honours not only the lighthouse itself but also the people whose lives and stories are forever linked to it.”
Many of those lives were lost on March 24, 1968, when Aer Lingus Flight 712 crashed into the sea off Tuskar Rock with all 61 passengers and crew perishing - only 14 of the bodies were recovered.
Outlining the passion Damien brought to the project, Cllr Carthy said a Dublin historian had been enlisted along the way.
Mary Costello, Brian Wickham, Ronan Hill, Sean Cullen, Margaret Hill, Eamonn O'Rourke, Bernard Crosbie, Cllr Jim Codd, Donall Scanlon, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan, Paul Downes, Stephen Cahill, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District, Cllr Ger Carthy, Vera Fox, Bernie Mullen, Rosarie Crosbie, and Cllr Frank Staples. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell
“Damian worked closely with Peter Golding, a lighthouse historian, and together they explored the rich history of Tuskar Rock and identified a number of important features that could be incorporated in the replica to commemorate the significant events and losses associated with it.
“Among those are 61 notches beneath the light tower representing the crew and passengers who lost their lives in 1968. In addition, the number 15 is engraved on the doors and commemorates the workers who died during the construction of the lighthouse between 1812 and 1814.
“A single engraved mark on the front door commemorates the lighthouse keeper who lost his life when a drifting wartime sea mine struck the rock and exploded in 1941.”
Working 16-hour days, Damian’s commitment to the project was described as “extraordinary” by Cllr Carthy who, on behalf of the RMD, sincerely thanked Damian for “his exceptional work and commitment to bringing this project to life”.
The family of Jim and Richard Walsh pictured during the unveiling of an information panel detailing the making of the Tuskar Lighthouse Replica in Rosslare Harbour. Vera Fox, Sharon Fox, Patricia Walsh, Geraldine Boyce, Nuala Driver, and Bernie Mullen. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell
In attendance at the ceremony were family members of those were working at Tuskar Rock in 1941 and they received commemorative certificates of honour from outgoing chair of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan.
Underlining the scale of community works in Rosslare Harbour, this was just one of three projects which were being officially launched at the ceremony. In addition to the Tuskar Rock replica, an information panel highlighting the history of the lighthouse was also unveiled along with a carefully constructed viewing point which, on a clear day, offers a perfect view of Tuskar Rock out to sea.