An archaeological study of the Lookout Posts of the Irish Coastwatching Service 1939-1945 Author : Glynis Ryan The thesis is submitted to University College Dublin in part fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of archaeology. School of Archaeology Supervisor : Dr. Graeme Warren August 2014
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An archaeological study of the
Lookout Posts of the Irish Coastwatching Service 1939-1945
Author : Glynis Ryan
The thesis is submitted to University College Dublin in part
fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
archaeology.
School of Archaeology
Supervisor : Dr. Graeme Warren
August 2014
i
Table of Contents Appendices ......................................................................................................................................... ii
List of Abreviations ............................................................................................................................ iii
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... iv
Abstract: ............................................................................................................................................. v
Britain was also anxious that a comprehensive coast-watching scheme be put in place, not
only for the reasons outlined above but also because Ireland, if invaded by Germany, could
facilitate an easier invasion of Britain. It was with this motivation that at this early set-up
stage, the British Admiralty became involved in an advisory capacity and the seeds of
British-Irish intelligence co-operation were sown (Kennedy 2008, 24) a co-operation that
would continue to grow throughout the war years.
11
2.2. Lookout Post Hut Construction
On the 3rd
of September 1939, with the declaration of war on Germany by Britain and
France, DeValera passed the Emergency Powers Act and declared its commitment to
neutrality (Wills 2008,2) By this time the “Marine and Coast-Watching Service” existed
in “rudimentary form” (Kennedy 2008, 32). Recruitment had in fact outstripped the
construction of the Lookout posts and with the outbreak of war the personnel were initially
required to operate out of army tents. However by 19th
of September 1939 the design of
the lookout post huts was agreed between Office of Public Works architect,W.H. Howard
Cooke and the Director of Military Engineering (Kennedy 2008,49) and so the form of the
physical landscape of the entire coast area of Ireland was to be altered and militarised to
suit the needs of the newly formed state.
It is worthy of note that Martello Towers and Coast-watching Towers were already in
existence along the Irish coastline since the early 19th
century. The LOP building
programme was not therefore the first militarisation of the Irish landscape, however these
earlier buildings were the work of a different state with different priorities and agenda’s.
In correspondence written by Commander Seamus O’Muiris, Directory of the Irish Marine
Service, to The Chief of Staff Office, G2 Branch on 10th
February 1943, the difference
between the two different coast-watching services is proffered when he wrote..
“ The Coast Guard stations used during the last war were sited to give
accessibility by land and in many cases patrols had to go long distances before a
good view seaward could be obtained.
The system therefore supplies a much more efficient service than that provided by
the old system of Coast Guard stations since the whole coastline is kept under
continuous observation under normal conditions”
(MA/G2/X/318)
Many of the LOPs were actually built adjacent to or in close proximity to these existing
earlier structures, but there were many more located between these locations, all working
in unison. However the fact that where the chosen location of the new LOP coincided with
that of the old Coast Guard buildings, the state still chose to build their own building,
12
highlights the recognition of these differences and the underlying determination of the new
state to stamp it’s own identity on the frontiers of the country (Fig 2).
Fig 2. LOP no. 5 at Rush, Co. Dublin built adjacent to existing Martello Tower.
The construction of the LOPs represents one of the largest engineering exercises
undertaken by the Irish Defence Forces during the Second World War. It involved
planning and constructing positions at strategic locations along a 1,970 mile coastline from
Ballagan Point in Louth to Inishowen Head in Donegal (Schmelzer 2011).
Each hut was to be built from one design and constructed from 137 pre-cast 4” concrete
blocks. The huts were to be 9ft wide and 13ft long with a large bay-window made up of
six angled windows on the coast end of the building. On the right wall at the rear was the
door which opened into a porch. At the rear wall of the building there was a fireplace
(Kennedy 2008, 49), (Fig 3 refers). The archaeology however will demonstrate how some
buildings deviated from this plan.
www.lookoutpost.com
13
Fig. 3 Section drawing from architect W.H. Howard Cooke’s LOP plans.
Kennedy maintains that by 9th
March 1940 all the huts had been constructed (2008,51).
They were basic, vastly inadequate to cope with the weather given their exposed coastal
positions and poorly built given the urgency of their construction but they were also the
first nation-wide physical manifestation of the intent of the Irish people – to remain
independent and neutral. However, perhaps their biggest flaw, when they were initially
constructed, was that they had no means of communication other than by travelling,
sometimes as far as eight miles, by bike to the nearest Garda station or Post Office in order
to telephone their District Command (Kennedy 2008,45).
In 1939 the Irish telephone network was in its infancy and though there were lines in
Dublin which facilitated connection of the Lookouts at Howth, Dalkey and Wicklow quite
early on, some of the posts on the west coast remained unconnected until late in 1940 and
two located in Kerry were never connected at all (Kennedy 2008,47). Kennedy sums up
this weakness in stating “Bicycles and the local post office or Garda station telephone were
of no use for reporting a fast low-flying aircraft as the aircraft would be long gone by the
time its presence was reported up the chain of command (2008,43). He further recounts
the documented experience of Lookout personnel at Roonagh, Co. Mayo who, in
Courtesy of the National Archives of Ireland
14
attempting to phone through information to G2 in the middle of the night was informed by
the on-duty Garda that no connection was possible until the post-office opened the
following day (Kennedy 2008, 44).
However, with the fall of France on 25th
June 1940, the government prioritised the
connection of all LOPs to the telephone network “as a matter of extreme urgency” (Litton
1961,86). Over 100 miles of new pole route were erected to some of the most remote and
inaccessible locations in Ireland along with hundreds of miles of trunk lines. This
monumental task was completed within the months of June and July of 1940 (Litton 1961,
86-87).
Fig 4. LOP no. 69 at Mullaghmore with phone line still in situ, embedded in the
concrete at the top of the left hand side wall
15
Fig 5. Holes in interior left hand side wall of LOP 69 at Mullaghmore where arguably
the phone apparatus was installed. These holes are evident in all of the LOPs within
this study, where the left hand side wall exists.
2.3 Aerial EIRE Signs
The EIRE signs that were constructed in the early summer of 1943 adjacent to each LOP
around the coastline were a practical solution to an ongoing problem. Kennedy maintains
that in the eleven months from April 1943 to March 1944, 21,000 military aircraft flew
near or over Ireland. Of the 12,000 that could be identified 99.65% were allied aircrafts
and during the same period there were 40 forced landings on Irish territory (2008, 244).
The signs were primarily intended to warn aircrafts that they were flying over neutral
Ireland. It would appear however that their construction was at the behest of the United
States as documentary evidence in the form of a telegram (dated 21st December 1943)
from the US envoy to Ireland, David Gray, informs the US Secretary of State, Cordell
Hull, that they had “been erected as a result, at least partially, of the efforts of’ the
American legation in Dublin (quoted in Kennedy 2008, 244). Also in this same telegram,
Gray refers to the LOP numbers saying, “Any pilot with the aid of the key map can find
16
his location” (quoted in Kennedy 2008, 247). These numbers had been added at the request
of the US Air Force in June of 1943 (Kennedy 2008, 244). This being the case, the
construction of the numbered signs can be interpreted as a breach of neutrality by Ireland
in favour of the Allies and consequently the archaeological evidence of these signs that are
present in the landscape today are of importance as physical indicators of this neutral bias.
There were in fact two types of signs constructed. Initially in 1943 the signs were
constructed without any specific format, the coast-watching personnel merely instructed to
“collect flat stones to make letters” (Kennedy 2009, 245). However, one year later in the
summer of 1944 the signs were all replaced to a “standard format of 12 x 6m, surrounded
by a wide rectangular stone border” and whitewashed to increase visibility (Kennedy 2008,
245). The importance of these signs as navigational aids and as an indicator of Ireland’s
‘neutral’ bias is evidenced by the fact that the United States Air Force included a detailed
description of them as part of the briefings for all crews who were to fly near Ireland
(Kennedy 2009, 247).
.
17
Chapter 3. The archaeology
3.1. Field Surveys
The time constraint of this project meant that the field surveys were restricted to a total of
20 sites. This represents approximately 24% of all the sites constructed. For purposes of
comparison it was decided to select ten consecutive sites on the East coast and ten on the
west coast. (fig 6).
LOP No. Location Lop No. Location
East Coast
6 Howth 11 Cahore
7 Dalkey 12 Ballyconnigar Hill
8 Bray 13 Greenore Point
9 Wicklow Head 13 Carnsore Point
10 Kilmichael Point 14 Forlorn Point
West Coast
63 Benwee Head 68 Rosskeeragh
64 Downpatrick Head 69 Mullaghmore
65 Kilcummin 70 St. Johns Point
66 Lenadoon 71 Carrigan Head
67 Aughris 72 Rossan Point
Fig 6.
18
For ease of recording a ‘Field Survey Record Sheet” was designed and filled-in at each site
(Fig 7).
Fig 7. Sample of Field Survey Record Sheet
Lookout Post sites numbered 6 through to 15 which occurred at 5 to 10 mile intervals
between Howth Head Co. Dublin and Forlorn Point, Co. Wexford on the East coast and
sites numbered 63 through to 72 occurring at similar intervals between Benwee Head, Co
Mayo and Rossan Point in South Donegal on the West coast, were systematically recorded
by photographic survey. Where buildings existed, measurements were taken. A hand held,
digital “Irish Grid Reference Compass” was used by standing at the front of each
building/building foundation and recording the co-ordinates and the orientation of each
19
building (Irish Grid Ref Compass v1.50 - 2012-2013, app for smart phone). Levels of
conservation at each site were then assessed by means of a pre-determined scale (Fig8).
Finally an observational search of the surrounding area was conducted in an effort to
locate the aerial EIRE signs and a positive or negative result entered onto the Field Record
Sheet. A brief description of the site/building was also recorded along with the date of
survey, the weather conditions and the extent of visibility.
In the case of a building which presented with less than 50% of wall (conservation level 5)
or where an exceptional feature was in existence adjacent to the building such as a walled
entrance, pathway or other associated structure, the feature was noted on a field sketch
sheet and included in the data file for the particular site.
Scale indicating level of preservation
1 Building presents fully intact with roof
2 Building presents fully intact but has been
modified over the years
3 Building presents with all walls but roof
damaged or missing
4 Building presents with greater that 50% of walls
5 Building presents with less than 50% of walls
6 Building presents only as rubble
7 Building evidenced only by concrete
floor/foundation
8 Building and all tracer evidence not in existence.
Fig 8.
20
3.3. Analysis of data generated by field survey.
Fig 9.
40%
10% 20%
10%
20%
Percentage of East Coast LOP's at each conservation Level
40%
10% 20%
10%
10% 10%
Percentage of West Coast LOP's at each conservation Level
1- Building presents fully intact with roof 2- Building presents fully intact but has been modified over the years 3- Building presents with all walls but roof damaged or missing 4- Building presents with greater than 50% of walls 5- Building presents with less than 50% of walls 6-Building presents only as rubble 7-Building evidenced only by concrete floor/foundation 8-Building and all trace evidence not in existence.
Legend
21
3.3.1. Conservation
The survey clearly shows a difference in levels of conservation of the subject sites between
the East Coast and the West coast (fig 9). 80% of the West Coast buildings have a
conservation level in the 1-4 range (i.e. presenting with greater than 50% of walls intact)
compared to 50% on the East coast with both the subject areas presenting 4 buildings
completely intact. In most cases the field survey has shown that even the intact buildings
are beginning to show signs of becoming unstable. Only one is in present day use
(Wicklow Head) and has been maintained, though has also been modified to suit its’
current purpose.
Whilst every site on the West coast had some visible evidence of the buildings, two of the
sites on the East coast had completely disappeared. The fact that the East is more densely
populated than the west and that the sites tend to be situated closer to urban centres
facilitating a greater chance of public interaction is undoubtedly a factor though the sites
on the west coast have arguably to contend with more extreme weather, the huts at
Carrigan Head, Co. Donegal and Rosskeeragh, Co. Sligo both falling as a result of a
singular weather event (in the case of Carrigan Head, a winter storm in 1995 (local
knowledge)).
3.3.2 Orientation and fields of vision
The orientation of the bay-windowed end of each building/building floor was recorded
during the field survey in order to facilitate an approximate calculation of field of vision
for each Lookout post. Using the formula “SquareRoot(height above surface / 0.5736) =
distance to horizon” (Science, How Stuff Works) distances were calculated and entered
into the GIS software which enabled production of the graphic showing approximate fields
of vision from each post. Of course the use of binoculars would perhaps have increased
this view and these theoretically enhanced fields of vision are indicated in the graphic
below as the lighter blue extension to the distance fields (Fig.10).
22
Fig 10. Approximate field of vision from each LOP (excluding LOP No. 6 at Howth and LOP
NO.12 at Ballyconnigar Hill for which there is no physical evidence) . The ‘Donnegal
Corridor’ is also arrowed. The darker blue areas represent theoretically possible un-
enhanced views from the LOPs with the lighter blue areas showing theoretically
possible extended views given optimum conditions and powerful binoculars.
23
Chapter 4 :Discussion
4.1 Lookout Post huts
Most of the sites are located on headlands in extreme coast-edge positions. All but two of
the sites revealed easily recognisable archaeological remains, with the remaining two
presenting no evidence at all that could be recognised by a sight-only survey. In the case of
these two sites at Howth and Ballyconnigar Hill (both on the East coast) the location was
identified by reference to original grid references that were documented in correspondence
held within the Military Archives (EDP/20/5). Though these grid references referred to a
now obsolete mapping system, it was possible to convert the references to the Irish
Transverse Mercator (ITM) co-ordinate system and get an approximate location. However,
without physical evidence it was impossible to categorically indicate the exact orientation
of each of these buildings, thus the field of vision for these sites has not been incorporated
into the graphic representation above (see fig 10).
80% of the Lookout buildings surveyed as part of this project largely conformed to the
architect drawn plan mentioned earlier, though the surveys revealed slight variances in
dimensions as they ranged in length between 376 and 396cm and in width between 251
and 271cm. They had an angled bay window facing the sea, a doorway on the rear right
wall and an interior wall extending to 97cm with a width of 11cm (which created an inner
porch area). In most cases there was evidence of an inner door leading off this porch into
the main room which also had a fireplace located on the back wall. Where only the
foundations exist (i.e. Dalkey, Bray and Cahore on the east coast and Rosskeeragh and
Carrigan Head on the west coast) the shape and dimensions of the foundation floor
indicate that these building were also of standard design.
However there were exceptions found notably on the south east coast. LOP No. 14 at
Carnsore point proved to be the most dramatically different as it was located on top of
what appears to be a pre existing single storey building constructed of red brick with the
exterior plastered in a concrete and stone mix (fig 11).
24
Fig 11. LOP No.14 at Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford.
In addition to the unusual location, it differs from the architect design in so far as it has
angled observation windows located at each end of the building and the fireplace is located
in the centre of the south wall. There were only five individual windows making up each
widow-bay unlike the six which usually make up the bay window area in the huts that are
of standard design. The entrance to the structure was through the building underneath with
an access opening located in the floor of the building opposite the fireplace.
LOP no. 15 at Forlorn Point also differs from the norm. It was also located on the upper
level of another building, though it is not possible to ascertain if this was a later addition.
It is accessed via a stairway on the outside of the East wall (fig 12).
25
Fig 12. LOP No. 15 at Forlorn Point.
It has an angled bay window section spanning approximately 4m in width (twice the
normal width). The windows on each wall of the angled bay were made up of one large
window with a smaller side, sliding sash window and unusually there were windscreen-
wipers attached to the larger window pane. The depth of the room was considerably
smaller than the norm at approximately 1.67m. The fireplace was located on the western
wall. It is not possible to say from sight survey alone if the existing windows and window-
wipers date to the 1939 – 1945 period or if they were a later modification. The room
appears to be out of use for some time as the access stairway is overgrown with weeds and
brambles. Furthermore a visual inspection through the window showed it to be empty
except for some lengths of wood. There was however a modern communication aerial
attached to the roof of the lower building which also had a sign over the back door saying
“Coastguard”.
26
The variation found in Lookout hut design appears to be linked to the topography of the
coastline. Where the altitude falls below 12m, as is the case with both Carnsore Point and
Forlorn Point, which present as 6.80m and 5.48m respectively, the design has been
modified to reflect the low altitude and the buildings have been sited on top of other
buildings giving them an approximate 5 to 6m height advantage.
Evidence of a small external entrance wall located at the doorway of the Lookout huts was
present in at least two of the east coast sites at Bray and Wicklow Head (Fig 13 & 14). A
possible third site at Kilmichael Point on the east coast also had evidence of a red brick
structure at the doorway, now in ruins and mostly buried beneath the sand (Fig 15)
Fig.13 Small external wall at Wicklow Fig. 14 Small external wall at Bray LOP.
Head LOP
27
Fig 15 : Buried Red-brick feature at LOP 10 at Kilmichael Point, Co. Wicklow.
This external feature was not present on any of the west coast LOPs surveyed, however at
four of the west coast sites there was evidence of a circular pit feature in close proximity to
the buildings (Fig 16).
Fig. 16. Circular pit feature adjacent to LOP no. 69 at Mullaghmore
It is suggested that these regional similarities noted in features occurring adjacent to the
LOP buildings, the walled external entrances on the east coast and the circular pit features
28
on the west, may be indicative of building decisions made at local level by the Defence
Forces construction team and arguably indicates that some LOPs were built by the same
team. One possible interpretation of these features is that they may have provided a
sheltered area for storing fuel; coal on the east coast and turf on the west (covered in the
pit by a protective covering). Further investigation or excavation of the features may
produce evidence to support this theory.
4.2. Aerial EIRE signs
The aerial EIRE signs were most evident on the West Coast. At Downpatrick, Co. Mayo
the sign had been excavated in the week prior to field survey and had revealed some stones
still bearing traces of whitewash. The border had been detected but on grounds of health
and safety had not been included in the excavation (Caulfield 2014), (Fig 17).
Fig. 17. Recently excavated EIRE sign with stones bearing traces of whitewash.
At Carrigan Point, Co. Donegal there is evidence that perhaps two signs were constructed
in two different locations. The partial remains of a sign at 54˚37’29.94N, 8˚40’37.99W are
29
visible from a distance (Fig.18) whilst what appears to be another sign is partially visible
close by at 54˚37’36.74N, 8˚41’02.84W (Fig 19).
Fig. 18. Partial remains of EIRE sign at Carrigan Head, 54˚37’29.94N, 8˚40’37.99W)
Fig 19. Suggested partial remains of EIRE sign at Carrigan Head, 54˚37’36.74N,
8˚41’02.84W (arrowed)
At Benwee Head, Co. Mayo the EIRE sign was complete and appeared to have been
recently renovated (fig20)
www.bing.com/maps
30
Fig 20. EIRE sign at Benwee Head
On the East Coast at the site of Bray LOP a 10m row of large stones were detected in a
very overgrown, grassy area approximately 15m to the east of the LOP site. Without
further investigation and excavation it is not possible to say if they are connected with the
sign.
Photographic evidence from the 1950’s held by the Military Archives shows the EIRE sign
at Wicklow Head in situ (Fig 21). The area was overgrown at time of field survey, to the
extent that it was impossible to find any surface evidence however, current satellite images
appear to show the sign may still be there and could be revealed by excavation at a later
date (Fig 22).
31
Fig 21. Aerial photograph of Wicklow Head dated circa. 1950 (MA Vertical Negative Prints
Box/ Wicklow Folder).
Fig 22. Satellite view of EIRE sign site. “R” and “E” appear to be still visible.
From the visual evidence, the letters of the aerial EIRE signs found on the West coast
appear to be of similar design and dimensions. However, the photograph showing the sign
at Wicklow Head taken in the 1950’s (Fig 21), shows a deviation in design with the
number 9 occurring below the EIRE and cutting through the border (on the more standard
examples the number of the Lookout occurs above the bordered sign). The border and
letters also appear to be narrower than elsewhere although this can only be determined by
excavation. Kennedy maintains that there were two sets of signs built, the first an ad-hoc
attempt by the individual Lookouts and the second conforming to the dimensions of 12 x
www.Bing.com/maps
32
6m with wide rectangular border (Kennedy 2008, 244). It may therefore be the case that
the sign at Wicklow Head was the original sign which was never updated, or perhaps could
not be updated due to topography issues.
The presence of a second sign at Carrigan Head could arguably be accounted for by virtue
of the fact that there is very few flat areas of suitable dimension in the location (with the
exception of the small carpark adjacent to the sign in Fig.19 which appears to be of more
modern construction). The location of one sign on a north facing slope (as in Fig 18)
would not have been visible to planes flying in a northerly direction, however the sign in
Fig.19 is south-west facing and would have addressed this problem.
4.3. Other buildings of the Emergency Defence Plan.
The Irish Marine and Coastwatching Service was just one of a number of defence
organisations that were established under The Emergency Act of 1939. There were in fact
two invasion scenarios considered; invasion from Germany (via coast or air) and invasion
from Britain. Invasion from Britain was deemed more likely to occur along the East coast,
at the treaty ports or at the six-county Northern Ireland border (Wills 2007,88,).
Invasion fears reached an all-time high in May of 1940 with the fall of France and on the
9th
July a directive issued from Portobello Barracks in Dublin confirmed that “Provision
will be made for prompt opposition to a hostile advance including delaying action by a
small detachment between the border and a final line of defence. The final line of defence
will be the general line of the river Boyne and Blackwater from the sea to Lough Ramor.”
(quoted in Wills 2007, 89).
In addition to the LOPs observing the coast, observation groups were also to be situated at
the ports and along the border frontier. The “delaying action” by a “small detachment”
referred to above was to be made up of cyclists and cavalry squadrons whose objectives
were to report on the whereabouts of the enemy and cause the maximum amount of
obstruction and delay north of the main line of resistance which was concentrated on the
south side of the river Boyne (Stout 2002,168). This final line of resistance consisted of a
series of pillboxes, grouped together at strategic points, which would be manned by
defence personnel if and when it was thought an incursion was likely (Stout 2002, 172).
33
Though these defences were clearly planned in mid 1940 it would appear from dates and
initials found scrawled on the pillboxes that these were not built in the main until 1942
(Wills 2008, 89).
These pill-boxes were clearly defensive in their design, varying in shape and size but were
all basically concrete artillery emplacements with concealed points of entry and “internally
splayed horizontal slits” (Stout 2002,170)
Fig. 23 Pillbox at Bridge on the Boyne, Co. Meath
4.3.1 Pillbox and LOP Comparison
The Pillboxes described in the previous section stand in stark contrast to the Lookout huts
that had been built three years earlier with little or no defensive characteristics. In contrast
to the small rifle slits which were a feature of the pill-boxes, the Lookout huts had six large
windows situated in an angled bay. Additionally, their cliff-top locations, selected for
maximum visibility meant that they had maximum exposure. Although arming the LOP
personnel with rifles and sub-machine guns had been discussed, it had only been realised
at LOP no. 41 at Fenit. (Kennedy 2008, 39). A few posts such as Howth and Dalkey which
www.geograph.ie
34
were deemed ‘key positions’, benefitted from having searchlights, sound detectors and
associated additional personnel located on site (Kennedy 2008, 171). At the LOP site in
Dalkey the remnants of a concrete platform, 150 x 150cm with bolt holes can be found
located approximately 3m from the LOP base which may have been the base of the
documented searchlight (Fig. 24)
Fig 24 Concrete platform with bolt holes at LOP no.7 at Dalkey, Co. Dublin.
For the most part the Lookout volunteers and their huts were completely undefended. The
volunteers were instructed to destroy all equipment and join nearest LDF contingent if the
coast was invaded or in case of the LOP being held-up “to slip past persons engaged in the
operation and cycle to the nearest point to which phone or other contact could be made
with the nearest military posts” (Kennedy 2008, 42).
The proximity of the Lookout huts, in theory, facilitated an overlapping and contiguous
field of vision of the seas and skies adjacent to the subject stretch of coastlines (illustrated
in Fig 10). The overlapping light blue areas indicating enhanced extended view fields in
the aforementioned graphic show areas which could theoretically be observed by more
than one LOP. Of particular importance is the number of LOPs which could observe the
activity of belligerent aircraft along the Donnegal Corridor (arrowed in Fig 10).
35
Kennedy, commenting on the special arrangement that was put in place to allow this
breach of neutrality, states that the eight mile route from Belleek to the sea at
Ballyshannon and out over Donegal Bay, was agreed to in a meeting between DeValera
and Sir John Maffey in January 1941 and within a month the LOPs in Donegal Bay had
recorded a marked increase in aerial activity, “with St.Johns Point becoming the most
important LOP for the observation of flights through the air corridor” (2008, 141- 142). It
is suggested that as a stipulation of the air corridor agreement, that as flights were to fly at
a height of 1000 ft over Eire (Kennedy 2008,141), the proximity of St.Johns Point to the
start of the corridor may have given the coastwatchers at this LOP the best chance of
observing the greatest number of flights before they reached this height.
If, as seems likely, the remaining 62 LOP sites on the coastlines which are not included in
this study, were similarly located and built with consideration to the topography of each
area, it would demonstrate a comprehensive attempt at observing the Irish territory in its
entirety. Observation and fields of vision were however wholly dependent on the weather
and seasons with visibility restricted to daylight hours only during the mid-winter months.
The documentary evidence of the LOP logbooks held within the Military Archives show
however that the posts were manned twenty-four hours a day with entries for the hours of
darkness restricted to descriptions of aircraft noise and occasional visual accounts of flares
or explosions (see fig 25 & 26).
36
Fig 25. MA/LOP/09/2 – note entry at 00.20 describing visual of flashes.
Fig. 26. MA/LOP/09/2 – note entry at 06.10 describing sound of aircraft only, though
visibility good.
37
C hapter 5 – Wicklow Head Case Study
Fig 27 Lookout Post building today in use as VHF marine radio station.
NOTE : Information supplied by material witness is cited as ‘Informant 1’ in order to
ensure anonymity.
The Lookout Post at Wicklow Head is one of three Lookout Posts that have been adapted
for modern day use. It is used today to house VHF maritime radio equipment and is
protected from public interaction by the addition of a security gate protecting the doorway
and wire fencing surrounding the entire site. One of the more notable adaptations made to
the building is the blocking up of the two central windows along with the far right and left
windows within the angled bay. The two remaining windows are filled with obscured
glass, which prevents viewing from the inside out or from the outside in. These
amendments constitute a fundamental change in building use, as visibility is no longer of
any importance to the function or purpose of the structure.
38
This being said however, the building is still recognisable as a Lookout Post building,
conforming in shape and approximate dimensions to architect W.H. Cooke’s original
design. Its current function, in no way diminishes its past role as LOP no. 9 in the network
that made up the Irish Marine and Coast-watching Service.
LOP no. 9 was in fact one of many buildings that occupied the ‘Wicklow Head’ headland
over the past few centuries in order to keep watch over the adjacent coastline.
25” Ordnance Survey maps dated between 1897-1913 show the headland to have been
populated by various buildings of a maritime nature, with what is labelled ‘F.S.
Semaphore’ at the location of the present LOP building (Fig 28).
www.OSI.ie
Fig 28. 25” Ordnance Survey Map of Wicklow Head
This structure appears to be part of an installation collectively called the “Coastguard
Station” consisting of a walled enclosure containing various buildings. There are also three
lighthouses shown, two of which are disused.
Photographic evidence dated to 1910 shows the station in its landscape setting, situated
adjacent to the “middle tower”. Clearly visible on the headland is a building with a tall
mast on its northern side which presumably is the “Semaphore” structure. (arrowed in Fig
Bolton, J., 2010. The ruins of a republic. In: J. Hell & A. Schonle, eds. Ruins of Modernity. Michigan:
Duke University Press, pp. 118-132.
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Appendix 1
54
55
World War 2 Coast-Watching Lookout Hut
LOP No.6 - Howth, Co. Dublin
Record Sheet
www. Googlearth.com
Aerial view of site of Lookout Hut No. 6 Howth, Co. Dublin.
Level of Preservation 8
Irish Grid Reference O 29448, 37408 Accurate +/- 5.00m
GPS 53˚22’16.446N, 6˚3’21.132W
Orientation
Evidence of Eire Sign No
Date of Field Survey 13/05/2014
Appendix 2.
Scale indicating level of preservation
1 Building presents fully intact with roof
2 modified over the years
3 Building presents with all walls but roof
damaged or missing
4 Building presents with greater that 50% of
walls
5 Building presents with less than 50% of walls
6 Building presents only as rubble
7 Building evidenced only by concrete
floor/foundation
8 Building and all tracer evidence not in
existence.
56
Description:
Building does not exist. A carpark now occupies the site.
There is no evidence of Eire sign.
Field trip occurred on bright sunny day. Visibility was excellent and ocean sea
views extended approximately 180˚ degrees.
N
57
World War 2 Coast-Watching Lookout Hut
LOP No.7 - Dalkey, Co. Dublin
Record Sheet
East facing view of LOP foundation/floor Concrete area approx 3m to north of building
with bolt holes.
South facing view of LOP foundation with viewing bench North-West facing view of LOP foundation/floor
Level of Preservation 7
Irish Grid Reference O 27168, 26280 +/-5m
GPS 53˚16’17.47N, 6˚5’3679W
Orientation 76˚E
Evidence of Eire Sign No
Date of Field Survey 12/06/2014
Appendix 3.
Scale indicating level of preservation
1 Building presents fully intact with roof
2 modified over the years
3 Building presents with all walls but roof
damaged or missing
4 Building presents with greater that 50% of
walls
5 Building presents with less than 50% of walls
6 Building presents only as rubble
7 Building evidenced only by concrete
floor/foundation
8 Building and all tracer evidence not in
existence.
58
www.Googlearth.com
Aerial view of LOP No. 7 site at Dalkey, Co. Dublin
Description
Floor of building is evident and presents with customary rectangular shape
with a bay angled section at East end.
Markings on West end of concrete floor are consistent with the presence of a
fire-place (as is seen on other intact buildings)
Foundation/floor currently supports a public viewing bench.
Weather was sunny and bright on day of survey and sea views extended
approximately 180˚.
Approximately 3m to north of LOP site is a small concrete area approximately
150 x 150cm which contains bolt holes.
N
59
World War 2 Coast-Watching Lookout Hut
LOP No.8 - Bray , Co. WicklowRecord Sheet
North-east facing view of wall adjacent South facing of view walls adjacent to south to south side of building foundation side of building foundation on which is rubble from LOP building
South facing view of site in its wider landscape East facing view of walls adjacent to setting Foundation.
Level of Preservation 6
Irish Grid Reference O 28794E, 15663N +/-5m
GPS 53˚10’33.05N, 6˚4’28.71W
Orientation 195˚, S.
Evidence of Eire Sign Potentially
Date of Field Survey 18th May 2014
Appendix 4
Scale indicating level of preservation
1 Building presents fully intact with roof
2 modified over the years
3 Building presents with all walls but roof
damaged or missing
4 Building presents with greater that 50% of
walls
5 Building presents with less than 50% of walls
6 Building presents only as rubble
7 Building evidenced only by concrete
floor/foundation
8 Building and all tracer evidence not in
existence.
60
www.Googlearth.com
Aerial view of site of Lookout Post at Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Building presents only as rubble spread across foundation floor which appears to be
intact. There is evidence on the foundation of a fireplace on the western wall.
Rubble extends to the north and east of foundation.
On the south side of foundation /floor there remains three walls which appear to
have been located adjacent to the doorway, possibly a porch.
Some 15 meters eastwards, downhill there is evidence of a row of large stones
extending 10meters in length which may possibly have been connected to the