The fascinating story of a wartime lookout post in Mayo

In 1939, at the beginning of the Second World War, the Coastwatching Service was set up to monitor and record "belligerent activity" around the Irish coast. 

Ireland declared itself neutral during the war but invasion by Nazi Germany was a very really threat. Consequently, some 83 Look-Out Posts (LOPs) were built in strategic locations along the Irish coast stretching from County Louth clockwise to County Donegal to help maintain Ireland’s neutrality, ensuring that the entire coastline came under observation.

These small pre-cast concrete buildings had large windows facing seaward. They were sparsely furnished with a small chimney in which to light a fire, and a telephone connection to enable contact to be made with the relevant authorities. LOPs were manned day and night, seven days a week, by the Coastwatchers, local volunteers who received training to carry out their observation duties efficiently. They worked in pairs, travelling on foot from the surrounding villages to take up their shifts.

Duties included keeping accurate and detailed handwritten records in the LOP logbook of belligerent forces sighted, describing weather conditions, aircraft in the vicinity, marine traffic (including troop ships, convoys, destroyers, submarines and lifeboats), onshore mines and, tragically, the bodies of army and civilian casualties of war being washed ashore.

This information, gathered at a local level, was crucial in building up military intelligence at a national level. Information from LOPs was transmitted to Defence Forces headquarters, to the Office of An Taoiseach and ultimately to Irish military intelligence (G2) for strategic analysis.

In 1943, huge ÉIRE signs were outlined on the ground in bright-coloured stone near the LOPs and the number of the station was also included. Measuring on average 12 metres x 6 metres, and built with up to 150 tonnes of stone, they were easily spotted by overflying aircraft whose pilots now knew they were over neutral Ireland.

During the Battle of the Atlantic, information gathered from LOPs was also passed on by Irish diplomats to Britain’s Royal Air Force and the British Royal Navy to assist in locating lost trans-Atlantic aircraft and the hunt for German U-boats. In return, Ireland sought military equipment from Britain. 

The crucial role played by the Coastwatchers while manning their posts in remote locations was a significant part of Ireland’s second world war engagement, ensuring that Ireland, while often co-operating with the Allies, could remain neutral overall through the conflict.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, a community co-operative based in Ceathrú Thaidhg in North Mayo, has worked closely with photographer Amelia Stein to tell the story of one of these Look-Out Posts, known locally as Teachaín a’ Watch – LOP 63. It sits in isolation on the edge of a precipitous headland overlooking Portacloy Bay. 

During a severe storm in October 2014, the entire building came tumbling down. Thanks to the efforts of the local community, particularly the Cill Chomáin Rural Social Scheme, and various agencies including the Irish Air Corps, which airlifted building materials to the site, this important link to World War II has now been fully restored.

Supported by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, the project team is now ready to tell its story, and in doing so acknowledges the role played by LOP 63 during World War II as well as commemorating the loss of life at sea during this time. Documents, maps, photographs and details from the logbooks from Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks, combined with oral histories, showcase the archival research which forms the basis for a dedicated website. The visual art response consists of works from Pat Harris, Selma Makela, Mick O’Dea, Noah Rose, Linda Ruttelynck and Amelia Stein, all of whom have interpreted this story with poignancy, consideration and great visual impact.

The two-day programme of events includes a group exhibition at Custom House Studios, Westport (F28 CD39) on Thursday, August 29th, at 6pm consisting of the artists’ works and exhibits from Military Archives, Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh, Helen Keogh and Treasa Ní Ghearraigh with opening remarks from Dr Michael Kennedy. 

On Friday, August 30th, at 1pm, two information signs will be launched near Portacloy Pier by Dr Michael Kennedy, followed by a visit to the newly-restored Teachaín a’ Watch building. At 3.30pm, there will be a viewing of the LOP63 website at An tSeanscoil Community Centre (F26 Y8P7) where refreshments will also be available.

Everyone is invited to attend this two-day commemoration of a valuable and fascinating chapter in our history.