Malin Head Radio Station was established in January 1902 at the Lloyd’s of London signal tower at Banba’s Crown.
The station’s radio was a simple battery powered spark transmitter connected to a 120-foot aerial supplied by the Marconi Radio Company.
The station was leased from Lloyds by the British Post Office from on 1 November 1902 and bought outright on 01 December 1909.
Station records show that RMS “Titanic” tested its radio equipment with the station, on 3rd April 1912.
On 22 May 1922, control of the station was taken over by the Irish Provisional Government, as agents for the Post Office.
Operating through both World Wars, the station has witnessed many historic events.
During WW, Malin Head Radio co-operated with the US Naval Air Station, at Ture. A US weather station and Radio service operated from the station.
In WW2, the station co-ordinated rescue – at – sea operations within its area. It was also the site for a transmitter which worked with 2 Scottish transmitters to create the first radio navigation position finding system.
The station continues to operate as a Marine Rescue Sub Centre of the Irish Coast Guard, co-ordinating search and rescue response in the area between Clifden and Lough Foyle, but capable of covering the whole Irish coast in an emergency.
