Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Friday 15°CSaturday 15°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
News

Local pride inspires restoration of historic ÉIRE sign

written by Rachel McLaughlin April 8, 2019
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

A team of volunteers have set out to restore a piece of history at one of Donegal’s most iconic tourist locations.

The many EIRE markers dotted around Ireland’s coastline are one of the lasting reminders of the local impact of World War II. The giant stone signs and numbers were laid out in the 1940s as a navigation aid for American bomber pilots. They also warned wartime airmen that they were flying over a neutral country.

There are 14 impressive markers on the Donegal coastline and 83 nationally. However, as the decades go by, some signs have fallen victim to the elements.

One such sign at Carrigan Head, near the Sliabh Liag viewing point, was barely visible to the eye.

But a resourceful group of locals have started to restore the landmark to its former glory.

EIRE 71 sign restoration at Sliabh Liag, 6th April 2019

The nine volunteers from Teelin and Carrick took it upon themselves to work on the sign last Saturday. With just an old photograph as a guide, they removed the sod from the stones which, after 70 years, were almost all underground. The team plans to return again to clean and whitewash the rocks in the coming weeks.

Ciaran McHugh, a member of the restoration team, said the project was born from locals taking an active pride in their area.

“It all started as a bit of pub talk. We were tired of waiting on someone to fix the sign so we decided to do it ourselves,” Ciaran said.

“It’s a lovely part of our heritage. When we were working last weekend there was umpteen tourists over asking what we were doing and it got a lot of attention.”

EIRE 71 sign restoration at Sliabh Liag, 6th April 2019

Mr McHugh said the restored marker will only add to the historic wonder of Sliabh Liag.

“The signs really add to the area. You have the sea cliffs on one sign and this lovely sign. It’s local pride, it’s a beautiful part of Donegal and on the Wild Atlantic Way too,” he said.

EIRE 71 sign restoration at Sliabh Liag, 6th April 2019

Local pride inspires restoration of historic ÉIRE sign was last modified: April 8th, 2019 by Rachel McLaughlin
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
Communityeire signmarkersrestorationsliabh liagworld war two
Rachel McLaughlin

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Much loved local ecologist launches ‘Birds of...

8 hours ago

Donegal planners grant retention permission for hobbit-style...

9 hours ago

Plans for 35 new houses and apartments...

11 hours ago

Benny is still ‘harping on’ as he...

12 hours ago

Charity 5K cancelled following Inishowen road tragedy

12 hours ago

Packie Bonner to open ‘Working Over By’...

13 hours ago

East Donegal family birthdays raise over €3k...

13 hours ago

Motorists warned after oil spill in south...

15 hours ago

HSE group in Donegal honoured for work...

15 hours ago

Over 6,500 Ukrainian refugees now living across...

16 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy