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Mizen Head Sundial |
With special thanks to Terry Cunningham for both these photos |
Sundial at Mizen Head Lighthouse |
On the 28 April 1906 the Board of Trade gave sanction for the erection of a lighthouse and fog signal at Mizen Head, Ireland's most south-westerly point. The slate sundial plate has weathered and no trace of the hour/minute lines remain, just the Roman numeral hour markers are to be seen. It has a massive brass gnomon and the dial sits on a pillar outside the security fencing which is there to keep the visitors away from the dangerous cliff top. The lighthouse is built on a rocky promotory overlooking the sea perched on the edge of a steep cliff. To reach the visitor centre (built in 1995) you must cross a chasm using a famous arched footbridge. Once a manual lighthouse it is now fully automated and is open to the public as a museum. Click here to visit the Lighthouse website |