Three Coastal Monuments

THE METAL MAN Tramore, Co Waterford

The Metal Man, pictured above, came into existence because, from the sea, it is easy to confuse Waterford Harbour with Tramore Bay. The insurers Lloyd’s of London — following the loss of life of 360 men, women and children in 1816 in the sinking of the HMS Sea Horse — commissioned and paid for a group of five large beacons to be erected and, in 1815, the figure of Jack Tar was cast, designed by Thomas Kirk (who also designed Dublin’s ill-fated Nelson’s Pillar). The slightly dandyish gentleman at the top of one of the beacons is said to be pointing to the safe harbour, and is dressed in the uniform of British sailors at the time. There is a second Metal Man, in Sligo, once again pointing to the deep water channel.

THE NATIONAL FAMINE MONUMENT Murrisk, Co Mayo

The Monument at Murrisk, pictured right, was erected to commemorate the more-than-a-million Irish people who died in the Great Famine in the mid-19th Century in Ireland. The monument depicts a three-masted ship, with skeleton bodies forming the rigging. Irish famine victims, like many migrants, fled the country in overcrowded ships, which became known as coffin ships. The monument was unveiled in 1997, and is the work of sculptor John Behan. There is a second famine memorial in Dublin, which features painfully thin sculptural figures, situated as if walking to the coffin ships on the Dublin Quayside. The sculpture, entitled Famine, was created by Edward Delaney.

THE BEACON Baltimore, Co Cork

Known locally as ‘Lot’s Wife’ the navigation beacon, pictured above, that overlooks Baltimore Harbour is an atmospheric circular, freestanding edifice, on the cliff ’s edge. The beacon is made from rubble stone that has been painted lime-wash white. It is topped with a slender iron finial cap, which is what gives the structure drama and an almost Celtic, sculptural aura. Practically, it is a distinctive landmark which has guided mariners for more than a century.