Young Storykeeper Volume III

236 | STORYKEEPERS VOLUME III AGE ELEVEN | 237
FANAD LIGHTHOUSE
Hi, my name is Sarah and I am eleven years old. My dad has the best job in
the entire world. He is a lightkeeper at Fanad Lighthouse. Fanad Lighthouse
is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and lies on the edge of the rugged coastline
of northwest Donegal.
Most people have never been in a lighthouse, but I get to go most days
and help my dad.
The lighthouse was first lit on the 17th of March 1817, just over 200
years ago. Of course, in case you were wondering, no, my daddy hasn’t been
working there that long, He’s old but not that old!
Fanad Lighthouse was built after the ship Saldanha crashed into the
rocks near where the lighthouse is built. No one survived the crash except the
ship’s parrot. There are 76 steps to the tower, which is a pretty steep climb
if you’re eleven like I am. I really enjoy going to the lighthouse, as there is an
amazing view from the top. It’s beautiful. Sometimes I bring my best friend Lily
with me. She loves lighthouses almost as much as I do.
Since the lighthouse was opened the lightkeepers and their families have
lived in the lighthouse. That was until 1983, when Fanad Lighthouse was
automated; that means that up until 1983, you had to do everything manually.
Nowadays, you can do it all automatically. Fanad Lighthouse is classified as
a sea light, not a harbour light, despite it marking the entrance into Lough
Swilly, which is a natural harbour of refuge.
What I like most about Fanad Lighthouse is the lantern. It looks so pretty
at night when the bright light lights up the sky. I think lighthouses are life
savers, having saved so many lives, ships and boats. They are amazing and
so beautiful to look at in the moonlight.
Nowadays, Fanad Lighthouse is a very popular tourist destination, where
people come from all over the world to see this magnificent lighthouse and the
beautiful surroundings.
At certain times of the year, we have different activities to mark special
occasions. My favourite time of year is Halloween when the place is decorated
with scary decorations. I enjoy helping to set up, as sometimes we get to
scare each other, and it’s so much fun.
Last year we had the opening of the Fanad Festival here at the lighthouse.
It was amazing. There were all sorts of activities, including singing, dancing,
gymnastics, music and lots of food. The Festival Queens were there too,
and they looked like a fairy princesses. Someday I would like to be a Festival
Queen.
From time to time, you will come across some beautiful pictures of the
lighthouse in different newspapers, magazines and even on television. We
have a beautiful jigsaw at home of the Fanad Lighthouse; it’s amazing and
really special.
Daddy really enjoys his work at the lighthouse, and maybe, when I am
older, I will follow in his footsteps.
Sarah Mc Hugh
Co Donegal
THE LADY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
The boys were excited to spend the night in a haunted lighthouse...
Their names were Sam and Colby and they were brothers. They had
just moved to the village. On the first day of school, people told them about
the lighthouse and told them to stay away but didn’t tell them why! They
were very curious and made plans to go later that night.
After dinner they set off. It was still light outside. On the way, they saw
some people giving them worried looks as they made their way down the
gravel path towards the lighthouse. Some people tried to stop them, but the
boys were determined.
As they got closer, a thunderstorm appeared. It started to get very dark.
When they arrived, they tried to open the door, but it was locked. They tried
to look for another way in and Sam noticed a face at one of the windows.
When he called Colby over, it had vanished!
Sam shivered with fear and Colby laughed at him. He still wanted to
get inside, so Colby found a stone and hit the lock. Finally, the lock broke.
Before Colby could open the door, it creaked slowly open by itself!
When they looked inside, they saw a large room. There was a staircase
and there was something large, covered with an old blanket, on a rocking
chair. Colby was going to grab the blanket to see what was under it when
they heard footsteps above them. He grabbed Sam and rushed upstairs!
Sam noticed the door closing behind them and tried to warn Colby, but
he said it was the wind. When they got upstairs, they saw a lot of paintings.
They were all of the same room - the room they were in - but each had
different people in them. Sam noticed a painting on the wall had two boys
that looked exactly like them! Colby looked at the next painting and saw it
was almost the same except there was a tall, old lady standing just behind
them. She was very scary.
Just then, they heard footsteps on the stairs and when they turned
around, they had a bag aggressively put over their heads...
When Sam and Colby didn’t arrive home by 10pm, their parents became
worried. They decided to go out to look for them. One girl said she had seen
them going towards the lighthouse so that’s where they went.
When they arrived, Dad called out to them, but he didn’t get a reply. He
went inside and saw a rocking chair under the stairs with a blanket lying on
the floor. As they rushed up the stairs, they didn’t see the door slowly close.
They saw the same paintings as Sam and Colby and Mum yelled when
she saw the one with her two sons! She then screamed when she saw the
painting with the woman behind them! Just then, they heard footsteps...
The family was never seen again...
Grace Guiney
Co Antrim