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Mon 06 Jun 2010Lighthouse service celebrates 200 years
IT WITNESSED the closing stages of the Napoleonic Wars, two world wars and it has saved countless lives – the Irish lighthouse service tomorrow marks 200 years of providing safe navigation around 7,500km of coastline.
Known as the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the all-island organisation, which has its headquarters in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, was the only statutory body to survive partition, and answers to both the Dáil and the British House of Commons. It has moved from candle power to satellite navigation, once employing gasmen and gunners, blacksmiths and bricklayers, among a number of specialist staff.
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