Metal Man Light, Sligo

The Metal Man, who is an identical twin to the Metal Man at Newtown Head in Tramore, Co. Waterford, was established on Perch Rock in 1821. It was originally intended for the Blackrock Beacon but when the merchants of Sligo looked for Blackrock to be converted to a lighthouse proper, the Napoleonic sailor, on their suggestion, was placed on Perch Rock. An acetylene light was established beside him in October 1908 and was converted to propane in  October 1979.  It became a front leading light with Oyster Island in 1932.

In March 2003 the gas powered light was changed to solar powered and its character was changed to Fl (3) W 6.1 seconds and synchronised with Oyster Island. Today the light is exhibited in hours of darkness only

The statue stand at about 4 metres high – bigger than life size – and is one of four casts from the original model by the Cork born sculptor Thomas Kirk, who was also responsible for Nelson’s pillar in Dublin. The remaining two statues are unaccounted for.

Location:       54°18.235′ North, 08°34.545′ West.

Elevation:      3m

Character:     Fl (3) 6.1s

Range:            13 km