Irish by name Irish by nature


 Fastnet Rock, the teardrop of Ireland!

The Fastnet Rock (Irish: An Charraig Aonair, meaning "Solitary Rock or Lone Rock") is a small clay-slate island with quartz veins and the most southerly point of Ireland, 6.5 km southwest of Cape Clear Island (Oileán Chléire) in County Cork, which is itself 13 km (8 miles) from the mainland. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean 11.3 km south of mainland County Cork, at latitude 51.37°N.[1] It rises to about 30 m above low water mark. Study of the documentary record suggests that the English name is derived from Old Norse Hvastann-ey meaning 'sharp tooth island'.

Divided into Fastnet Rock proper and the much smaller Little Fastnet to the south by a 10 m (30 ft) wide channel, it also had the nickname 'Ireland's Teardrop' as it was the last part of the country seen by Irish emigrants to the United States in the 19th century as they sailed past it.

For Million of Irish emigrant heading to new york from the south of Ireland or Liverpool, the Fastnet rock cast a shadow of a full teardrop in the moonlight for many it was the last sight of Ireland forever and the last sight of land  until they reached New York and saw the incredible  and grand sight of the statue of liberty.  

 

Characteristics of the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse

Position
51º 23.3’ North 9º 36.1’West
Light
Fl W 5s White Flash every 5 seconds, also exhibited by day when the fog signal is sounding: nominal range 27 nautical miles.
Radar Beacon
Morse ‘G’ on vessel’s radar display.
Fog Signal
4 blasts every 60 seconds
Height of Tower
54 metres
Height of Light above mean high water springs
49 metres