( Overview
/ Two Bullocks on a Boat Go West
A beautiful morning leaving Crookhaven.
The eastern tip of Crook Haven peninsula.
Brow Head. You can just see the ruins of the tower used by Marconi as a signal tower in 1901. It was still being used as a signal tower in 1920 when it was destroyed by the IRA, who also stole explosives used for fog signalling.
Barley Cove.
Brow Head, the most southerly point of Ireland. During the 19th century copper mining took place here.
Although Marconi had been successful in sending a wireless message across the English Channel, his first attempt in 1905 to send one across the Atlantic was unsuccessful.
Mizen Head with its Visitor Centre and Signal Station. Utilising the network of communications already here, a telegraphic office was established by Marconi to communicate with shipping coming from America.
After Marconi conquered the transatlantic message and more shipping lines equipped their fleet with Marconi equipment, it was no longer necessary to be close to shipping or man a station in a remote area like West Cork, and the station closed.
From 2005 scaffold was used across and above the bridge to allow the Signal Station to stay open, and once funding was found, a new bridge was built in 2010.
We’d been advised to give Mizen Head a wide berth because of the rough seas, but the local fishermen have no such qualms.
Approaching Sheep’s Head, also called Muntervary.
Sheep’s Head Lighthouse was built in 1968 as a consequence of the development of Whiddy Island oil terminal. Helicopters were used to lift building materials and equipment from Kilcrohan. Access is now by a long flight of steps.
A very little wind, so Kevin set up a preventer to stop the boom swinging over, and to catch whatever breeze there was.
The sun seemed relentless; we drank lots of water and went down below for relief.
The east entrance of Bear Island.
The pilot book describes Adrigole Harbour as beautiful, picturesque and well sheltered. Before arriving for our lunchtime stop, we’d already thought we would probably stay the night too.
Hungry Hill (682m) rising due west of Adrigole Harbour, which sometimes fosters a squall in the harbour.
Typically, as we tried to pick up a mooring buoy (with no pick up line attached), the wind came up, and the harbour didn’t seem so sheltered after all!
We anchored for lunch, but decided as the forecast was for higher winds and rain we would head for Glengarriff.
Crookhaven to Ardigole. 24 nautical miles.
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