Roger O’Reilly has illustrated all 350 lighthouses across Britain and Ireland – including those here in East Anglia – which he has made available in a book and series of prints
Undoubtedly, one of the most iconic structures that can be found across Britain has to be the mighty lighthouse. Tall, statuesque, and impressive, in years gone by, they’d help sailors and seafarers safely navigate our often-treacherous coastlines.
Today, while many are no longer used, they’re inarguably interesting – and filled with history.
That’s why artist and author Roger O’Reilly dedicated five years to travelling around Britain and Ireland, illustrating all of the UK's remaining lighthouses.
His book,‘The Lighthouses of Britain and the Islands’, features unique compositions based on his own lovingly-created drawings and sketches.
Explaining his love of lighthouses, he says: “I grew up near the mouth of the River Boyne, on Ireland’s east coast. A few minutes from my door were three unusual estuarine lighthouses perched among the sand dunes.
"Drogheda North, East and West lights were truncated structures that stood like Daleks on stilts, gazing forlornly out to sea and only coming to life as the dusk crept in. I didn’t realise it at the time, but they imprinted in me a deep-seated love of lighthouses and all that they represent.”
Roger, who works as a storyboard artist for adverts, films, and television shows, began creating illustration posters as gifts for family and friends – and soon realised he could turn his passion into a business.
“I decided to publish a book, which went on to be a bit of a bestseller,” he says.
In 2017, Roger released Lighthouses of Ireland, which scooped the award for Irish Book of the Year in 2018.
And following the success of his first release, while on holiday in Cornwall, he decided to focus his attentions on lighthouses here in Britain.
Armed with his trusty sketchbook, Roger made his way around the country, taking in the lighthouses, harbours, and seaside towns they watched over.
“I set off in the summer and did a tour, visiting pretty much every lighthouse along the way. We went to the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts – Cromer especially is a lovely spot, I love that area.”
Once he'd sketched the lighthouses, Roger then created digital illustrations of each one. “One of the things I wanted to do was put my fingerprint on the picture, so what I did was scan my thumbprint and used that as a texture. When you look at the sky, you’ll see that.”
He adds: “I hope people understand that it’s a recognition of what an incredible part of our heritage they are. It’s basically a story surrounding the lighthouses, and the keepers. They were an independent breed of people who stuck it out, and I have endless admiration for them.”
Here is just a quick snippet about some of Roger’s favourite lighthouses from across East Anglia...
Happisburgh
“Happisburgh Lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse in East Anglia, and the only independently run lighthouse in Great Britain. It is the surviving big brother of a pair of lights built by the lighthouse commissioners, Trinity House, in 1790 overlooking this stretch of the Norfolk coast,” he explains.
“The duo operated as a pair of leading lights so when a vessel altered course lining both lights up one above the other, they were set for safe passage around the southern end of the treacherous offshore Haisborough Sands. The low light was discontinued in 1883.
“Saved as a working light by the local community, it is maintained and operated entirely by voluntary contributions. The light has a characteristic of three white flashes, repeated every 30 seconds, with a range of 18 miles.”
Cromer
“The stretch of North Norfolk coast near Cromer has always been a rich gathering ground for seagoing vessels. From the Dutch fishing boats – doggers – which gave their name to the Dogger Bank, to the coal barges that plied these waters on their way from the northeast to London and the ports of the south.
“The first proper lighthouse structure at this location was built by Sir John Clayton. It wasn’t a success as he had difficulty in getting ship owners to divvy up their dues. It was eventually taken over by Trinity House who employed two young women as its first lightkeepers. Time and tide eventually saw to the structure’s demise and when in 1866 the cliffs suffered a major collapse, the lighthouse slid into the sea alongside them.
“The event has been anticipated and 33 years earlier, the current structure had been built a half mile inland. Today, the lighthouse is automated and is remotely monitored from the Trinity House Operation Control Centre at Harwich in Essex.”
Lowestoft
“In 1609 Trinity House built two lighthouses on the low-lying foreshore known as Lowestoft Ness which were lit by candles. When the two lights were lined up, they led vessels safely through an inshore passage known as the Stamford Channel.
“In 1777 the coal fire in the high light was replaced by an experimental new light known as a ‘sparkle light’. Imagine if you will a disco ball, covered in 4,000 small square mirrors. This glittering tube was surrounded by a circle of oil lamps and reflected the light so efficiently that it could be seen 20 miles away.
“When the decision was taken in 1870 to electrify the Lowestoft High Light, a new station was built. By the early 1920s, the Stamford Channel was just a memory and the low light, having no further purpose, was finally decommissioned in August 1923. The high light was automated in 1975 and modernised in early 1997.”
Southwold
“Southwold Lighthouse is set back from the beachfront of this seaside resort and in the middle of a residential area. The lighthouse was constructed by Trinity House as a coastal mark for passing ships and to service vessels entering Southwold Harbour.
“When built, the lighthouse stood at 101 feet tall, standing 121 feet above sea level. Two keepers’ cottages were built next to the tower rather than providing accommodation in the tower itself. To reach the lantern room required climbing 113 steps via two winding staircases. Inside, the First Order fixed Fresnel lens as fitted, had originally been built for Happisburgh low lighthouse, but was re-used when the latter light was demolished in 1883.
“Southwold has a range of 24 nautical miles. Two red sectors mark shoals to the north and Sizewell Bank to the south. These have a range of 15 nautical miles. The white and red group flash four times every 20 seconds.”
Gorleston
“Gorleston (Range Rear) Lighthouse is located near the mouth of the River Yare in the Gorleston-on-Sea area of Great Yarmouth. In times past, a wooden structure which suspended a brazier of burning coal served as a navigational light at this position, but by 1852 the first lighthouse at Gorleston was established at the end of the South Pier, an octagonal brick tower. The building at the end of the pier today is occupied by volunteers from the National Coastwatch Institution. A light is mounted on the roof with harbour control lights, operated by Great Yarmouth Port Authority.
“The current lighthouse was built in 1878, originally powered by mains gas and soars to a height of 69 feet. Gorleston-on-Sea lighthouse carries two lights – the rear light for the harbour entrance range is mounted on the tower with a focal plane of 21 feet, and a fixed red light is also displayed from the gallery with a focal plane of 66 feet.”
Roger’s illustrations are now available to buy from Lighthouse Editions, and his book will go on sale in 2024. To find out more, visit lighthouseeditions.com
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