BELMULLET, Co Mayo, the last manned meteorological station in the country, went fully automatic from yesterday.
The station replaced the weather monitoring unit at Blacksod lighthouse, 10 miles to the southwest, in 1956. It was from Blacksod that the Sweeney family provided the observations that finally determined the date of the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944.
The end of an era at the Belmullet station was marked quietly by the staff who are either being transferred or deployed to other duties.
The manager at Belmullet, Donal Shine, and three of his staff, John Hanley, Kevin Donnelly and Willie Byrne, will remain in the station but have been transferred to other duties.
Brian O’Shea has transferred to the station at Ireland West Airport Knock while colleague Conor Lally will transfer to Shannon.
Mr Shine said: “It’s kind of strange to be winding down after all of those years. But I suppose we’ll get used to it.”
The Belmullet station was originally located at Blacksod lighthouse where the late Edward (Ted) Sweeney made weather observations as well as tending to the light.
Vincent Sweeney, one of Ted’s sons, recalls his late father received considerable media attention over the years as “the D-Day weatherman”.
“Quite a number of film crews made their way to Blacksod over the years wanting to hear about the D-Day connection,” Mr Sweeney said.
“There are still inquiries from historians and reporters on the matter.”