Oyster Island co Sligo

This is actually the first lighthouse that you see when coming into Rosses Point but probably viewed best from the coastal path at the head of Rosses Point, from where the Metal Man is best seen. To me, it looks remarkably similar to the Baily Lighthouse in Howth.

Erected in 1821, the same year as the Metal Man, the lights in both lighthouses were changed from gas-powered to solar in 2003.

A brilliant description of life in Oyster Island lighthouse in the 1930s can be found on the Coomissioner for Irish Lights website at http://www.cil.ie/sh621x4185.html

Metal Man Light co Sligo

Located in the narrow waters between the mainland and Oyster Island off Rosses Point, the nearest view to the Metal Man Light is probably gained from walking down the coastal pathway for 100 yards. The cast iron sailor warns ships away from the rocks - the light is beside him.

Erected in 1821, the Metal Man has an identical twin that stands guard on the south coast of Tramore Bay in county Waterford. However, his Waterford sibling is on land and stands atop a much taller pillar.

Blackrock Lighthouse co. Sligo

Above is an old picture of the Blackrock Light. The little external rooms at the top of the staircase were added in the 1870s to give extra accommodation but were removed in the 1970s.

May Bank Holiday weekend and, a bit poemed out, we decided to take a break from the Strokestown International Poetry Competition, and travel up to Rosses Point in county Sligo. Following the road in to the long drawn out village, we eventually reached the headland where we had three lighthouses in view at the same time.
I was sorry I didn't have my camcorder with me as it has a greater zoom than my camera. Therefore these pictures of Blackrock Light (not to be confused with Blackrock Light in Mayo) are a bit far away.

Located on a rocky islet, a light was placed on here in the late 1700s but was washed away in a storm. The lighthouse is white with a black band and access is gained by a red spiral staircase which reaches halfway up the outside.

Arklow Roadstone Jetty Lighthouse

Couldn't find this on my flying visit to Arklow last year but succeeded this time!
Heading south, go over the main bridge in Arklow and immediately turn left. Follow the quay road towards the sea, passing the Lightship Skua on the other side of the river. When you reach the small harbour, go around two sides of it. You will then see a signpost for South Beach. Follow the road around, heading south as far as it will go.
At the entrance to the Roadstone works, the narrow road to the left will lead you around to some rocks on the outside of the perimeter fence. A short walk from there will lead you to around 100 yards of the light.
Alternatively and quite illegally, we simply drove through the site unchallenged until we reached the jetty!
The light is situated on top of a corrugated iron building, seemingly at the end of a conveyor belt. It is a red light and has a range of nine miles.
If all lighthouses were as unprepossessing as this, I probably wouldn't have any interest in them. But you don't stop loving one of your children just because he's ugly...

Fanad Head

Continue past the turn off for Portsalon, following the signs for Cionn na Fhanada. At the T-junction, turn right and the lighthouse will come into view after about 3kms. A most photogenic lighthouse, whether from near or far.

The lighthouse itself dates from 1886, though there was a station there since 1817.

Dunree Head

Didn't manage to get to this lighthouse which is on the west coast of the Inishowen peninsular. Had to content myself with a photo from Portsalon on the east coast of the Fanad peninsular. Not a great photo but it was a very gloomy late November afternoon.

Built 1876

Moville Lighthouse

Arrived in Moville, armed with a description that the lighthouse was 1/3 mile off shore.
Took the short side street down to the Lough and you can't miss it, dead ahead of you and it doesn't seem like 1/3 mile anyway.

Built in 1882, this is the largest of a series of pile lighthouses built at the end of the 19th Century. The keepers lived in town but spent the night in the watch room. Together with the Cobh Harbour lighthouse, there are only 3 of these left in the country.