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If you should ever visit Ireland, one place you must stop in and visit is Templars Inn, a wonderful restaurant and pub, located near the Hook Head Lighthouse.
Once you walk through the doors, you will soon realize why we have suggested that you stop here for a bite to eat. Lighthouse pictures adorn just about every inch of wall space in the place. However, the place is not decorated with a lighthouse theme just because it is near a lighthouse. It is because the owner, Jimmy Cullen, was one of the last of the true Irish Lighthouse Keepers.
Jimmy spent 20 years of his life in the Irish Lighthouse Service, serving at nearly 25 lightstations. He comes from a long line of light keepers; his father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather were all lighthouse keepers. Because of modern technology, neither of his sons will be allowed to carry on the long family tradition.
Jimmy Cullen served at nearby Hook Head Light for seven years, at Eagle Island Light for seven years, at Bailey Island for three years and various other lighthouse around the coastline of Ireland such as Bull Rock, the Skellig Michael, and Fasnet Light.
So, the next time you're in Ireland, stop in for a "pint o'Guinness" at the Templars Inn and enjoy some good lighthouse conversation with Jimmy Cullen, the last of the real Irish Lighthouse Keepers.
This story appeared in the March 1997 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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