The Calf of Man Lighthouses 1819

The Isle of Man is often described as the rock in the middle of the Irish Sea. This may geographically be so, but it is also home to some 70,000 people. The natural beauty of the island abounds, with mountains in the centre, lush agricultural land in the north, a rugged and remote coastline in the south and west. The Isle of Man is only some 30 miles from tip to toe and 11 miles wide. On the south western tip of the Isle of Man lies a small island known as the Calf of Man. Today the Calf is occupied from March to October by two wardens who are employed by Manx National Heritage. They live at the secluded farmhouse in the centre of the island. Jonathan Fairhurst the conservation warden and Tim Bagworth the bird warden are now the only people to live on the island. The Calf of man is recognized as an important nature reserve and is known for many species of breeding and migrating birds. However, the Calf of Man has three lighthouses, two disused since 1875 and a modern one built in 1968. The lighthouses were established by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The new light was automated in 1995, but until then the station was occupied by three resident keepers.