The Baily Art Exhibition

Spotlight on The Baily

Photography of John McColgan

For twenty five years the Baily lighthouse has looked over me.  In recent times I have
taken to walking out to the same patch of land in front of the cottage with my iPhone to
capture the Baily in its myriad forms - by season, by night, by day, in fog, in sun, in rain,
in storm.
I am fortunate to look out the kitchen window, observe the light and within seconds be
there on the spot to capture the majesty of the lighthouse, the sea and the sky.
I used the iPhone as it was designed for use - balanced precariously on the railings
outside.
A combination of my location and the speed and convenience of the iPhone enabled me
to capture the essence of the Baily and its environ.
Moya encouraged me to present this exhibition and with the support of my mentor Peter
Gordon I compiled, selected and prepared sixteen images from over two hundred taken.
This exhibition is dedicated to the Baily’s other half - the men and women of the RNLI
who risk their lives going to sea in all weathers to save lives.  Founded in 1824 ninety
seven per cent of the crew in RNLI are volunteers, neighbours, friends, locals from
Howth and beyond.  A staggering one hundred and forty four thousand lives have been
saved since its foundation.
Lighthouses represent hope and safety, a symbol of guidance that illuminates the night.
Howth Head, and the Baily’s place in the Irish psyche is long established. On Howth
Head Leopold Bloom proposed to his future wife Molly Bloom.  Gertie McDowell
comments ‘the evening and the clouds coming out and the Baily light on Howth’ while
Joyce reminds us of the ambivalent nature of the sea the Baily patrols - “The Sea, the
snot green sea, the scrotum-tightening sea.

The Baily history is long and colourful.  Opened on March 17th 1814 it was automated
one hundred and eighty two years later in 1996.  Sadly several ships perished off the
Baily, most notably the QS Queen Victoria which sank on a stormy night in February
1883  …. Eighty passengers and crew were lost. I hope these images will make the Baily
- and Howth - a place we cherish while the RNLI continues to ensure no more should
perish in our waters.
Thank you to Cathy and Karl in the House restaurant, a wonderful place to gather for
conversation, excellent cuisine and art.
Thank you to Donal Skehan for his support and the generosity of his time for such a
great cause.
Thank you to Moya Doherty and Peter Gordon for their invaluable support.
Thank you to those of you who will contribute to Howth RHLI by purchasing or gifting a
framed photograph from Spotlight on the Baily.

All profits from this exhibition go to the Howth RNLI in this their 200th anniversary year.  I
have supported the RNLI in the past with the Howth Horizons suite of photographs
curated and managed by Cathy Boyle and Karl Dillon here in The House Restaurant
eight years ago.  I hope Spotlight on the Baily will be of as much interest as the previous
exhibition.
John McColgan
October 2024

Henry Longfellow- The Lighthouse
"Sail on! it says, sail on, ye statelyships!
And with your floating bridge the ocean span;
Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse,
Be yours to bring man nearer unto man!"