The Metal Man, Sligo - It's History and Conservation

After spending almost four weeks cleaning, conserving and painting Sligo’s Metal Man, it’s fair to say that Gavin Cogan and James Cawley of Maintenance Painting Systems (MPS) Ltd. got to know one of Sligo’s famous landmarks better than most of us ever will. Perched atop a limestone plinth, access to the navigation beacon was weather and tide dependent. On some days only 2-3 hours were available for works to be undertaken. Carefully and painstakingly, the crew undertook the conservation works which have brought the Metal Man wonderfully back to life.

Sligo’s Metal Man, is a 19th century navigation beacon which is located mid channel between Rosses Point and Oyster Island in Co. Sligo. The Metal Man has marked the safe approach for shipping to Sligo Harbour since 1821 and continues to do so.

Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan, T.D. at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage allocated a grant of €25,000 under the Historic Structures Fund to Sligo County Council for works to conserve the Metal Man. Match funding was also provided by Sligo County Council.

Locals and visitors to Rosses Point have watched the works progress on the Metal Man and it’s fair to say that the project has been warmly received and everyone is delighted to see that the Metal Man has been conserved to such a high standard and just in time for his 200th birthday.

This video was commissioned by the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council and was produced by Omedia.