In 1985 Brendan joined Irish Lights as a temporary lighthouse keeper and worked on some of the most beautiful lighthouses in the Republic of Ireland. He was stationed on Tuskar, Rockabill, Skellig Michael, Bull, Fastnet and Baily. As a child he lived on Wicklow Head lighthouse with is parents; and holidayed on Mizen Head while his father was stationed there in the 1970s. He also visited the Kish Bank lighthouse on a number of occasions while his father was stationed there in the 1980s. He has written about his experiences as a young temporary lighthouse keeper.