Members of the Kerry Amateur Radio Group had a successful and enjoyable weekend at the Cromwell Point Lighthouse located on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend 2011. This is the sixth year that the radio club has participated in the weekend.


A large number of contacts were made on both voice and data modes. Propagation conditions were average over the course of the weekend. Weather conditions were variable but mostly dry, some members even came away from the weekend with a sun tan! Good idea by some members to have brought a pair of shorts just in case!!


This year the club were lucky enough to see a visiting cruise ship passing by the lighthouse on its way to Renard Point in Cahirciveen to pick up passengers. The vessel then moored about half a mile off the lighthouse overnight and made for a spectacular night-time sight when all light up.


Some brief video footage was shot of the event and this will shortly be made available to club members. A short bonus feature about the nocturnal activities of the  "common shell-less Valentia snail" will be included as a special treat.


The Kerry Amateur Radio Group would like to express thanks to all participants for making the weekend enjoyable and a success and a special thanks goes to the Commissioner of Irish Lights for allowing use of the facility by the club again this year.