An Cosantóir

42 THE STEADFAST COAST WATCHERS: DEFENDING IRELANDS COASTS THROUGH THE EMERGENCY THE STEADFAST COAST WATCHERS The outbreak of World War II put the new Irish state to a severe test. Faced with invasion from both sides in the conflict, and a need to protect its stated neutrality, a broad range of measures were introduced including the development of a sea bourn presence and a shore based watch. This new entity would be called the Marine and Coast Watching Service. This article will look at the latter service, and with one specific incident, highlight the important role they provided. The Marine and Coast Watching service was established in September 1939. It combined a sea bourn presence and coast watchers. The coast watchers had been initiated earlier that year, on the understanding that war was imminent and look outs were needed to monitor and record events off the coast. Recruits were advertised for, and a preference was for men from the local area with experience of the sea. However payment was basic and those serving have been described as the cheapest men in the defence forces. Waterford Harbour was served by two Look Out Posts (LOPs); Hook Head (LOP 16) in Co Wexford and Brownstown Head (LOP 17) in Co Waterford. Elsewhere in Waterford Harbour, preparations were made for the anticipated confrontation. Defensive pill boxes were built at Dunmore East and along some of the main roads into Waterford City. Road signage was removed, and in some cases the old limestone milestones that lined the roads from the mail packet era were toppled and buried where they lay. A minefield was laid between Passage East and Ballyhack operated from the shore, to be detonated on the arrival of an enemy fleet. The old quarantine hospital at Passage East was refurbished and readied for action and the Irish Army reoccupied Duncannon Fort. Construction of the LOPs began immediately, but it took time to complete the infrastructure. Early positions were sometimes little more than a canvas tent to provide some semblance of shelter. Initially some posts were lucky because of their positioning to have a telephone connection, but for many, communication was via bike to the nearest telephone, until lines could be run. When fully established, the coastline was served by 83 LOPs with 700 recruits of all ranks. Seven men were led by an NCO to staff each post, and these were grouped in 18 districts. These were overseen by a district officer. A manmade EIRE sign (made by the staff of the LOP) and the Post number was added from 1943. It seems that the initial signs were small and not a uniform design, but the final signs were of a standard measurement; the letters being twelve meters long by six meters high, surrounded by a rectangular stone border. Each post had two men operating an eight-hour shift. LOP 17 was manned by the following: Corporals Richard Hanrahan and Thomas Keoghan. Volunteers: J Corcoran, Patrick Dunne, J Esmond, John Fitzgerald, J Keogh, John Keoghan, P Lennon, J O'Grady, J O'Shea, John 'Bulligan' Power Basic training consisted of signalling, first aid, By Andrew Doherty v An old sketch map of Duncannon Fort

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