Guglielmo Marconi (6)

[Ptarmigan]

Not exactly a local man, but Marconi did put Ballycastle & Rathlin on the map, briefly!

A test for Lloyds between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, Ireland, was conducted on 6 July 1898.

Guglielmo Marconi ~ Wikipedia

Close to the harbour a memorial recalls the experimental transmissions which Marconi and his assistant, George Kemp, established in 1898 between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, to prove to Lloyds of London that wireless telegraphy was practicable. Signals were transmitted over a distance of 6 miles between White Lodge, a house on top of the cliff at Ballycastle, and a mast erected near Rathlin Island's east lighthouse. Other transmissions were also made to Rathlin from the spire of the Catholic church in Moyle Street.

Ballycastle ~ Your Place & Mine

The house was used to carry out radio transmission experiments to and from Rathlin Island. Unfortunately due to the lack of initiative on local councils part of the cottage was purchased privately and is now somebody's home.

Ballycastle ~ Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937)

In May 1998 Lloyds of London invited Marconi to install and experimental wireless link between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle. Although Marconi was unable to go to Rathlin straight away his gave the task to his assistant, George Kemp who in turn engaged the services of a graduate from Trinity College Dublin, Edward Glanville.

Ballycastle ~ Antrim.net

Marconi's Memorial ~ Situated in the carpark beside the harbour.

Northern Ireland Towns

The Marconi Radio Group was setup in the town of Ballycastle, Co.Antrim in Northern Ireland on 10th April 2001 . It began with a small number of radio amateurs, The group was formed to celebrate the early wireless signals made by Guglielmo Marconi where a historic link was made on July 6th 1898 when experimental transmissions were made between the east lighthouse on Rathlin Island and the ' White Lodge ' house situated at the harbour in Ballycastle.

Marconi Radio Group ~ Ballycastle