Plans underway for restoration of former Ballagan Point Look Out Post in north Louth

Plans are underway for the restoration of the former Ballagan Point Look Out Post and the Coastguard Signal Station at Whitestown in Greenore in north Louth.

Jimmy and Wendy Quinn have applied to Louth County Council for planning permission for the proposed restoration, repair, and conservation of the former Ballagan Point Look Out Post (LOP) 01 and Coastguard Signal Station. 

The Look Out Post is a Protected Structure in the Louth County Council Record of Protected Structures. In its description, it says that the World War II Lookout Building is a "Look Out Post from WW2 constructed with concrete located in prominent hill top location. This is one of a number of lookout posts constructed around Irelands coastline and is know as ‘Look Out Post Number One".

According to militaryarchives.ie, the Marine and Coastwatching Service, was established in 1939 and a network of 83 Look Out Posts were built around the coast of Ireland, and manned by members of the Local Defence Force (LDF). 

The Coastwatchers, it says, were responsible for identifying and reporting on shipping and aircraft movements and also on any communications between ship and shore. The Marine and Coastwatching Service was disbanded in October 1945.

A decision is due on the planning application by 17 September, with submissions due by 27 August.