Did you know that, when the Dublin-manufactured light in Galley Head lighthouse in West Cork began sending out its signal in 1878, it was at that time the brightest light of its kind ever made?

All this and more will be revealed in an open-to-the-public lecture with the DBOGA in Poolbeg Y & BC on Thursday, October 16th, which will tell the story - one that deserves to be better known - of John Wigham, Dublin inventor of genius.

Attendees are invited to contribute to the RNLI at the door.

The talk, titled Lighting the Sea: The John R. Wigham Story, will be delivered by his descendant Jonathan Wigham at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on Thursday, October 16th at 8pm. John R. Wigham, born in 1829, began working at 15 in Edmundson’s of Capel Street, a gas engineering firm run by his brother-in-law Joshua. He took over the business at 19 and helped establish it as a leading manufacturer of lighthouse and buoy systems. His innovations used gas rather than traditional oils, producing what was then the brightest navigation light ever seen. The system installed at Galley Head lighthouse was noted for its intensity. He also developed signature flashing lights and faced resistance from engineers who saw him as “a mere tradesman,” according to family accounts. The firm later became F. Barrett & Co. and continued internationally into the 20th century.  Jonathan Wigham, a retired chemical research technician, will outline his ancestor’s contributions and the impact of his work on maritime safety.