Ten messages in bottles have been set adrift into the Atlantic from Fanad Lighthouse in County Donegal to mark a special milestone anniversary.
The unusual adventure was organised to mark the 10th anniversary of Fanad Lighthouse opening its doors to the public.
Last Monday evening, a small group from the lighthouse took to the water and released just ten bottles, one to represent each of the ten years.
Each bottle contains a letter from Fanad Lighthouse and a special invitation: whoever finds one is being offered the opportunity to come to Donegal and enjoy a stay at the lighthouse.
Fanad Lighthouse is an iconic working lighthouse at the mouth of Lough Swilly operating since 1817.
The landmark lighthouse was opened to the public as a visitor attraction with accommodation in three restored lightkeepers cottages in 2016.
The team also offers guided tours, group tours, schools tours and private tours.
The team at the lighthouse hope the ten bottles will eventually find their way towards Scotland’s west coast and the Outer Hebrides or even further afield.
A spokesperson for the Lighthouse said, “The staff travelled out into the Atlantic before releasing the bottles, hoping to give them the best possible chance of catching currents that might carry them northwards towards the Outer Hebrides, or perhaps even as far as Iceland.
“Where they will actually end up, however, is anyone’s guess.”
There was already some excitement this week when word reached the lighthouse that one of the bottles may have been spotted by a fishing vessel.
The team is now eagerly awaiting confirmation and a possible location, which could provide the first clue as to the direction the bottles are travelling.
Management at the lighthouse said the message-in-a-bottle idea is a small celebration of a much bigger milestone for Fanad Lighthouse.
“Since opening to the public ten years ago, the lighthouse visitor attraction has continued to grow as one of the main signature points along the iconic Wild Atlantic Way, while remaining closely connected to the local community.
“This year, 36 local people are employed at Fanad Lighthouse, while the organisation also supports the surrounding economy through local shops, tradespeople and services.
“Locally produced art and craftwork is prioritised in its retail space, while sustainability and the Irish language are central to the way the attraction operates.
“Fanad Lighthouse also hosts and supports community and cultural events, and the team says the next stage of its journey will be about continuing to develop the visitor attraction in a way that allows it to flourish while remaining connected to, and delivering for, the community.”
For now, however, all eyes are on the Atlantic.
Will one of Fanad’s ten bottles wash ashore in the Outer Hebrides, make the journey to Iceland, or perhaps turn up somewhere completely unexpected?
The team at Fanad Lighthouse is asking anyone who comes across one of the bottles to get in touch and let them know where it has landed.