Pete's Irish Lighthouses

The Lightship Gannet

2011-06-30T04:48:00.001-07:00

This is the Lightship Gannet, photo not by me. It was built in 1954 in Dartmouth and until the end of 2009 it stood off South Rock lighthouse in the Irish Sea off the county Down coast (bet the writing on the side gave it away!).
It has since been purchased by So long and thanks for all the fish, which, I suspect is not his real name. The lightship is now situated in the Medway where it is being converted.
Mr SLATFATF originally intended to buy a barge and convert it but decided that it would be much less work to buy a lightship. If you want to see what "much less work" looks like, there is a blog dedicated to its conversion. I wonder if there was a "much much less work" option?

Ballycurrin Lighthouse

2011-06-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Probably one of my favourite lighthouses, it is claimed that this is the only inland lighthouse of its type in Europe, though I don't know what 'of its type' means. It is situated on Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake and was apparently built by Sir Henry Lynch, who needed a marker to get his provisions off the Galway to Cong ferry. The roof is apparently made from a mill wheel though it was raining when I visited and I felt I didn't want to risk scrambling over the wet stones to get onto it.
To find it (and I can't quite figure out the geography even though my sense of direction has always been pretty good) travel from Galway to Headford on the N84. At the green petrol station cum supermarket on the left hand side in the centre of the town, turn left on the road marked R334 to Cong.
This is where I get confused. Lough Corrib should naturally be on your left hand side. However, about three miles along the road, there is a small brown sign marked Ballycurrin Lighthouse pointing to the right. This is the only sign you will see. Take it and kind of follow the road as best you can. How this road ends on the lake, I have no idea!
On a bend you will see what looks like a private road marked for Ballycurrin House. Take it, its not far. When the grass grows thick in the middle of the road, you're there.

Mutton Island, Galway

2011-06-18T14:38:00.001-07:00

Built in 1817, this light served Galway harbour for 160 years until replaced by Leverets and left to rot. There have thankfully been recent efforts to restore it to its former glory, (it appears to be freshly painted) though it now shares the ile de mouton with a sewage treatment plant.

To reach it, you need to go to Claddagh. Heading west out of the city centre from Spanish Arch take the turn to the left on the far side of the river. When you hit Grattan Road, you should see the light. There is onroad pay and display parking. The causeway is actually much longer than you think and stay on the Galway city side of it if you want to avoid a drenching!

Galway Harbour (Leverets)

2011-06-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Probably the newest lighthouse in Ireland, this only went up in 1977 to replace Mutton Island. It sits in the midsdle of Galway Bay guiding boats into the harbour. This photo was taken from the causeway leading out to Mutton Island (killing two lighthouses with the one Fresnel lens) which looks as though it maybe the nearest vantage point.

The Tower of Lloyd

2011-06-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a spectacular lighthouse? This giant Doric column was built in 1791 by skilled masons out of limestone. There's only one problem - its over 25 miles from the sea!

It is actually a faux lighthouse, built for the First Earl of Bective on top of a hill to the northwest of Kells so he could watch the hunt and horse racing on the plains of Meath. It is probable Queen Maedbh camped here on her way to capture the Tain of Cooley.

To find it, you need to get to the centre of Kells, to the big junction at the top of the hill. Take the N52 towards Mullingar but almost immediately turn right onto the road signposted for Oldcastle. Pass the round Celtic tower and carry on until you're out of town. Then watch out for the Peoples Park in 300 yards sign and take it when it comes up, though you'll have seen the tower a long way off.

Dundalk Light

2011-06-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Like a big spider sitting in the middle of Dundalk bay, this is one of only three screwpile lighthouses in Ireland, the others being at Spit Bank and at Moville. It was built by Alexander Mitchell in 1855.
This one is by far the furthest from the shore, hence the hazy picture. In fact, according to the road map, it looked as though it should be visible from Blackrock, near Dundalk but though I parked up on the front, I couldn't see it at all. It was only after driving around and onto the Cooley peninsular that it came into view. Actually, I probably stopped a bit early (where the road skirts the sea and is joined by the R174.) I think I should have carried on up to Giles Quay - it might have been a bit nearer.

Aleria (Drogheda) Lighthouse

2011-06-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, I made a trip up to Drogheda to see the four lights at the mouth of the Boyne. Three of them are south side of the estuary and the other, Aleria, is on the north side. I managed to get the south side ones polished off but found the one on the north side too difficult to locate. See here.

Recently though I revisited the problem and viewed the lighthouse on Google Earth. Hmm! I thought. Looks like you'd get a much better view from the south side of the estuary. So I drove to the village of Mornington in co. Meath and just where the road bends at a right angle, I took the small road that leads down past the Range Rear and Range Front lights and parked in the little car park beyond. Fifty yards further on and there's a perfect view of Aleria, sitting at the end of her breakwater.

Built in 1936.

The Lightship Albatross

2011-03-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Okay no picture but you get a birdseye view here

I received an email from Rob who helps to run a fascinating website primarily concerned with the ships built in the Leith shipyard of Henry Robb
Rob was enquiring about the Lightship Albatross, launched in 1924 and believed to be the oldest Henry Robb ship still in existence. It was moored in Dublin - could I get a picture or two?

I had tried to find it before. After finding the mast and light in Arklow I had attempted to track it down. It had been in Dun Laoghaire where it was used by the Sea Scouts. It was later transferred to the entrance of Grand Canal Dock on the River Liffey but since 2000, it had been moored in Pigeon House Harbour.
Now, Pigeon House Harbour, I presumed, was somewhere along Pigeon House Road, which runs along the south side of the Liffey, all docks area, from the East Link Bridge, almost to Poolbeg Lighthouse. So I asked and asked and asked but nowhere that I stopped on Pigeon House Road knew where the harbour was.
However, since then, I've discovered Google maps and looking at it, there could be only one possible location for the harbour. So this morning, I drove down to it. The entrance to it appeared to lie through the Poolbeg Power Station, so I drove in through the gates (the barrier was up) and parked in the car park. Then I walked to a wall where grave danger apparently awaited if I went any further. Then over a fence and into the harbour, where the disused warehouse to my right was littered with Danger - Keep Away signs.
But no boat.
There was a rather bockety looking fishing vessel on the opposite side of the harbour, with three men working on it. So I walked down and asked them if they knew where the Lightship Albatross was. "London," I was told. "Sailed on Sunday."
As we were talking, another man came along and he told me it had been towed to London to be refurbished into a pub / restaurant. Couldn't remember the place but it was somewhere on the Thames (really?) And he had the exact spot at home and he'd put it up on the Where is She Now website.
So ten years in the one spot and three days before I visit, she sails away! But at least she's gone to a good home.
Getting back home, I can't find this Where is She Now website...

Cleggan Point, co. Galway

2011-02-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Very distant view of the light at Cleggan Point. I had secretly hoped we might have had the time to take the ferry to Inishbofin (where we'd pass much closer to this light and also get to see the Inishbofin Light too) but a combination of a strong wind and an incredulous expression on my wife's face soon put that one to bed.
This was taken somewhere to the west of Cleggan (there is no road to the headland itself) Don't ask me where. The roads are merely joined up pot-holes and completely unsignposted. I was keeping an eye out for it and got lucky in about a hundred yard stretch above the village.

Basically, its another white concrete box lighthouse, what my wife would call "not a proper" lighthouse.

Mystery Lighthouse, Clifden, co Galway

2011-02-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

Approaching the western end of the Sky Road out of Clifden, I happened to glance down across the bay and on the far side, noticed this white structure at the end of the headland opposite.

Is it a lighthouse? Could it be some kind of marker that doesn't have a light, like the Metal Man in Tramore, co Waterford? It certainly looks as though it ought to be a lighthouse and one of the Bed and Breakfasts on the Sky Road is called Lighthouse View (there are no other lighthouses in view)

But I can find absolutely nothing about it anywhere!!

Clifden Light

2011-02-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

No, of course this isn't a lighthouse but an interesting enough light and I can't find it on Trabas. Situated at the approach to Clifden in, erm, Clifden Bay, this was taken from the Sky Road just outside of Clifden Town.

Inishnee Light, co. Galway

2011-02-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Not much of a photograph but then again, it wasn't much of a lighthouse either. Probably might have done better if I'd have chanced one of the tiny lanes down to the coast just before hitting Roundstone village after continuing on the R341 after Slyne Head. As it was, this was taken from the craft park near the top (south) of the village, looking southwards at midday, hence the silhouette effect.

The light is on the southern end of the island of Inishnee. There is a bridge and road on the island but according to the maps, the road peters out long before the southern promontory. It was built in 1961.

Slyne Head East and West, co. Galway

2011-02-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

Two for the price of one I suppose, though I'd have liked to get a little nearer! The one on the left, no longer in use, is Slyne Head East and the black one is, surprisingly, Slyne Head West. They were originally twin lights built in 1837 but the east light was abandoned in 1898. The west light was painted black in 1907.

To get there, drive to Ballyconneely on the R341 and then turn westwards, signposted for the Connemara Smokehouse and other places. Watch out for a hand painted signpost for the Connemara Golf Club on your right hand side (don't drive to Berowne Bay - spectacular views but no lights) Before you reach the Golf Course you go over a small hillock, from where I got the pictures above. Maddeningly, as you get nearer to the lights, they disappear behind Slyne Head itself (the lights are on Illaunamid, an islet further out) until the road ends up in a caravan park and a road saying No Trespassing.

Rossaveel Light, co Galway

2011-02-10T13:33:00.000-08:00

Okay, a trip down to Connemara gave me the opportunity to bag a few lighthouses, but with my wife accompanying me, I could not perhaps devote enough time to tracking down some of the more distant ones. A couple of the photos are quite disappointing but the prospect of another journey down to rectify this softens the blow somewhat.

This is the Cashla Bay Light, located at Latitude 53°15.834' North Longitude 009°33.982' West according to the CIL. The lighthouse directory does not list it as a lighthouse, though most road atlases do.

To find it, come into Rossaveel and continue down around the harbour, past the Aran Islands ferry parking, until a wrought iron gate marks the end of the road. There is a pedestrian gate through to the other side but as the light points out to sea, it is difficult to get around to the other side of it. Probably the best view would be from the ferry.

Foghorns fall silent

2011-01-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

From the Irish Times January 12th.
THE LAST remaining foghorns around the 7,800km coastline have been switched off “officially” by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and several harbour boards.
However, should a blanket of cloud descend over Fastnet rock it may be that passing craft will still hear a ghostly warning sound from the fog signals for some time yet.
Fastnet is one of three lighthouses which will require a physical visit before the fog signal can be “disabled” – the others being at Old Head, Kinsale in Co Cork and Dundalk in Co Louth.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights confirmed yesterday that some of the signals may still be working beyond the “P45” date of January 11th, but most just required a “touch of a computer mouse” at headquarters in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, to be silenced. The commissioner has been disabling fog signals at various lighthouses for the past 20 years and said it issued a marine notice about the remaining horns at nine lighthouses last September.
The Irish lighthouse authority, which depends on light dues from shipping, said that rapid advances in marine technology have rendered fog signals obsolete and they are not an “aid to navigation”.
Dún Laoghaire harbour board, which is responsible for the lighthouse there, decided to follow suit.
Irish Marine Federation chairman David O’Brien, who is editor of Afloat magazine, said that he believed there was still a case for using the signals.
“There are roughly 27,000 pleasure craft around our coast, according to a recent marine federation study. Fog can come in quickly and catch people unaware. Of course commercial shipping has back-up navigation systems but it is not always the case that lone windsurfers, pleasure craft or fishermen will have the same.”
Eddie English, owner of marine firm Sail Cork, said there was “no dialogue” about the decision, and he was aware of many small boats, some of them fishing craft, which would not be equipped with electronic aids.
“I delivered a boat from Crookhaven to Cork in thick fog in the days before chart plotters and GPS, and it was very comforting to hear the signal at Old Head of Kinsale and Roche’s Point, at the mouth of Cork harbour,” Mr English told The Irish Times.
He said he believed the Commissioners of Irish Lights had “compromised safety”, adding: “There is a compelling case for keeping these signals, at least in the ports or harbours where there are a number of small craft, along with recreational users such as windsurfers and kayakers.”

Though the old romantic me mourns the demise of the foghorns, I was in the village of Roche's Point at the entrance of Cork Harbour one time and I had no idea how the inhabitants lived with that racket!

Copper Point Long Island

2010-02-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

More crappy photos, tortuously brought to this blog by non-digital camcorder, DVD hard drive, then a photo of a still image.
Taken from the Schull - Cape Clear ferry as you leave Roaringwater Bay on the way out. Built in 1864, this was a daybeacon only until a light was added thirty years ago.

Fastnet

2010-02-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, not a great photo. Taken in August 2004 from Mizen Head, Ireland's tallest and most famous lighthouse broods alone in the Atlantic. Located off the south west point of Ireland, it welcomes boats from America and is the focus of the famous Fastnet sailing race.
Taken on an old non-digital camcorder, which was transferred to DVD, which was then photographed on the telly!

Mizen Head Lighthouse revisited

2010-01-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

Six years after we were down in West Cork, my daughter went back and took these photographs. The actual light is on top of the white octagonal building. These lights lie just to the seaward of the building.

A spectacular setting, even the path to the lighthouse must have taken an age to construct!

South Rock Superbuoy

2009-09-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is the same lighthouse that I was puzzling over here

http://irishlighthouses.blogspot.com/2009/08/near-south-rock.html

At the time, I was puzzling over what it was, as thewre was no mention of it in Trabas. I think I may have found the answer. From CIL "Monday, March 2 2009
The South Rock Lightfloat was permanently withdrawn from station and replaced by a port-hand lateral superbuoy on Wednesday 25 February 2009.A lightship was first established at the South Rock on the 1st April 1877, replacing the lighthouse which had been established in 1797. The lightship was automated and redesignated as a lightfloat, and the crew was withdrawn on 31 March 1982. The South Rock Lightfloat is the last lightfloat in the Service. "

And from http://www.cloughey.org.uk/lightship_going_69.html "The small red ship on the horizon about 3 miles East of Cloughey is to be withdrawn at end of February 2009. It will be replaced by a 'superbuoy' which will not have a fog horn, so the familiar wailing sound heard in the middle of the night will be a thing of the past."

Lightship Petrel

2009-08-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

And so to the lightship Petrel. I didn't think I'd find this, as directions were pretty vague but it rather fell into our laps. Go into Balloo on the A22. At the Saintfield crossroads take the road signposted Whiterock. Go through Killinchy and when yo get to Whiterock, there is a sudden bend to the left. Keep following this road, ignoring a road that leads right across a causeway, and after about 3/4 mile, the lightship is on your right.
Built around 1915, decommissioned in 1968, it has been the headquarters of the Down Cruising Club since 1969. Delighted to find a lightship that has been put to some use.

Donaghdee

2009-08-31T08:35:00.000-07:00

And so, up the coast to this very picturesque lighthouse standing smartly to attention at the end of the pier in Donaghdee. Originally erected in 1836, it was designed by the men who built the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth, though substantially repaired when gutted by fire in 1900. Brendan Behan apparently painted this lighthouse, though I suspect more in a fine art way than a decorating way.

Incidentally, approaching Donaghdee from the south, I kept glimpsing what I assumed was the lighthouse at Mews Island, north east of Donaghdee. Ah, says I, I'll get a better view of it the further up the coast I go. Unfortunately between Donaghdee and the outskirts of Bangor there was no sea view at all. If I'd had time, I'd have detoured off to Groomsport where I believe it might have been possible to get a decent view, but the shops of Newry, like Danny Boy's pipes, were calling.

Near South Rock

2009-08-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

The other object sticking up above the horizon from Cloghey is this mystery object. No mention of it in Trabas, it appears to be sitting on a rock directly east of Cloghey, maybe 2 miles out to sea, possibly less. If it isn't a light, I've no idea what it is.

South Rock (Kilwarlin) Lighthouse

2009-08-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Driving north from Portaferry on the A2, after about 5 miles, you finally hit the sea at Cloughey, Cloghy, Cloughy or Cloghey and lo and behold, gazing out onto the still waters, there are two objects sticking up above the horizon.
This is the more southerly of the two, the famous South Rock or Kilwarlin Lighthouse. Built by Thomas Rogers in 1797, it is the oldest waveswept lighthouse in Ireland and possibly in the world. It was replaced by the South Rock lightship in 1877.

Swan Rock (again)

2009-08-31T08:27:00.001-07:00

Better photos than the last time - http://irishlighthouses.blogspot.com/2007/08/angus-rock-strangford.html - this little pepperpot light is situated on an island just off Strangford and very close to the route of the ferry that plies its 8 minute journey between Strangford and Portaferry on the Ards peninsular.

The Narrows, Strangford

2009-08-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay! At first I thought this had to be a lighthouse, even though I could find no reference to it. I mean, what else could it be?
From Wikipedia - "SeaGen is the name given to the 1.2MW tidal energy convertor that was installed in Strangford Lough in April 2008"

Salt Rock

2009-08-31T08:23:00.001-07:00

See entry for Gowlands Rock - http://irishlighthouses.blogspot.com/search?q=gowland
Below, the finishing line...
Strangford was named by the Vikings - strang fjord - to describe the extremely strong currents that are forced up the narrow channel.

Gowlands Rock

2009-08-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Again, I pose the question - what constitutes a lighthouse? This looks more like a lighthouse than many others, yet apparently it is merely a light. Possibly because the tower has no room, house, shed attached?
On the short 2 mile drive from Kilclief to Strangford, the lighthouses on Salt Rock and Gowlands Rock suddenly appear. This one, Gowlands Rock is on the far, Ards peninsular side, while the red Salt Rock lighthouse is on the near side. They sort of form a finishing line for sailors

Angus Rock Subsidiary Lights

2009-08-31T08:18:00.001-07:00

Right! When viewing the Angus Rock light from Kilclief, there appears to be two further lights on either side. Neither are listed in Trabas' Online List of Irish Lights, which is strange. This one above appears to be located on the most southerly point of Angus Rock itself...

...while this baby looks to be sitting in the water off the northerly end of Angus Rock. I can find absolutely nothing about them but this one in particular looks like more of a lighthouse than some others I could mention - Muglins, Arklow Roadstone Pier etc

Angus Rock

2009-08-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

On the drive north from Ardglass to Strangford, you come across the little village of Kilclief, nestling on the shores of what is the entrance to Strangford Lough. The road passes a little car parking space which is ideal for viewing this lighthouse which, to me, looks like a snowman with a red hat looking right. According to the Lighthouse Bible, http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/nirl.htm the tower was built as a daymark probably in the nineteenth century but the solar powered light was installed only in 1983.

Ardglass Pier

2009-08-31T08:10:00.001-07:00

According to Hansard, http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1887/apr/25/commissioners-of-irish-lights-lighthouse this lighthouse only became operational in 1887, nearly 50 years after the original blew down in a storm! Very much your archetypal lighthouse, with a nice maroon door and guard rail, it is however showing some signs of rusting. Located at the end of the North pier, the whole area seemed spookily deserted when we drove up, save for the squadron of seagulls dive-bombing the harbour.

Haulbowline Range Rear

2009-08-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Haulbowline Range Front and Rear are almost identical twins. Doubtless their mother could tell the difference but for us, one has the orange vee pointing up and the other has it pointing down. I would have thought green, white and orange was a strange colour scheme to have in the North of Ireland. These photos taken from the beach at the end of Fair Road, described in the Haulbowline entry. Note county Louth behind.

Not only are the lighthouses almost identical but the blog entries practically are too. The photo above shows the 2 lighthouses in relation to one another in Carlingford Lough

Haulbowline Range Front

2009-08-31T08:04:00.000-07:00

Haulbowline (again)

2009-08-31T08:03:00.001-07:00

This is another picture to complement the one taken last year on http://irishlighthouses.blogspot.com/2007/08/haulbowline-co-down.html

This picture was taken at the end of Fair Road. Driving from Warrenpoint heading east-ish on the A2, take the right turn signposted for Greenore. Wind through the countryside for a couple of miles until you come to a few houses and a staggered junction. Turn right (signposted Greenore) and then 100 yards on, branch left (road marked Fair Road) Where the road hits the beach, all 3 Haulbowline lighthouses are visible.
(A closer view is availabe from Cranfield Point - this can be reached by taking the next right turn off the A2. The photo above only seems larger because it was taken on my camcorder which has greater magnification)

This is quite a striking lighthouse, sitting as it does just offshore where Carlingford Lough starts to narrow. Built in 1824, it was the first Irish offshore light to be automated. Appears to be just in Northern Ireland rather than the Republic.

Newry River Range Front

2009-08-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

From the location described in the Rear light post, the front light is also visible, if slightly further away. It is located further down towards Carlingford Lough and, like the rear light, is very evocative of the round towers favoured by Irish monks of yesteryear. Appears to be smaller than the rear light but that may be an optical illusion!

Newry River Range Rear

2009-08-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Last year, I did a blitz on the lighthouses of South Down. Unfortunately, my primary research wasn't up to much as I simply followed the lighthouse symbols on my road atlas of Ireland. Consequently, there were many that I missed, so in order to rectify things, I did blitz number 2, with Monica in the passenger seat. The deal was that I get her back to Newry in time to do some retail therapy.
So, first port of call, the Newry River. Follow the A2 from Newry and just as you come into Warrenpoint, there's a roundabout with a run off area quite large enough to park and the two Newry lights are right in front of you.
This one is Date Unknown, an unpainted stone tower, sitting on the far bank. I think it might be in the Republic, but I could be wrong!

Oyster Island co Sligo

2009-05-04T12:40:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-04T12:16:00.001-07:00

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

2009-03-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-11-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-21T12:43:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-21T12:29:00.001-08:00

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.

Warren Point Lighthouse

2008-11-21T12:24:00.000-08:00

A few miles south of the Inishowen Head lighthouse is Warren Point. In order to access it, you need to drive into the Greencastle Golf Club, park in the car park, walk past the first tee, across a fairway and down to Lough Foyle. Station established in 1861.

Inishowen Head

2008-11-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Spending three days in Letterkenny in November. On one of the days we did the Inishowen peninsular and there are three lighthouses in about five miles up on the northern end of the R241.

The most northerly is Inishowen Head - turn right in Shroove and the road winds right past it. Built in 1837 it was actually one of a pair, the other being demolished in 1961.

My wife doesn't like either photo as they don't include the sea!

The Lightship Kittiwake, Dublin

2008-10-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

I had been informed that the Lightship Kittiwake (or the Automated Lightfloat - ALF - Kittiwake had been moored at Pigeon House Harbour - Dublin docklands (see previously) After wandering around the South side of the Liffey for hours, asking people where Pigeon House Harbour was, I gave up.
Eventually Simon Coate of the Dun Laoghaire Port Authority was able to tell me that it is actually moored alongside the Point Depot - soon to be the O2 Village - on the north bank of the Liffey

These pictures were taken around 07:45 on the October Bank Holiday morning with the sun just rising up over Dublin Bay.

Built of steel in 1959, it was converted to an ALF in 1981. It was previously moored in Dun Laoghaire harbour (2002) It was decommissioned in 2007 and now is up for sale "as is" price on application!

Tory Island

2008-09-19T02:01:00.003-07:00

On my trek across Arranmore Island (see a previous post), I could see a light blinking, far to the north, past Bloody Foreland. This is the light on Tory Island, although the island itself was not visible.
Indeed, for the first fifteen minutes of the 50 minute boat crossing from Magheroarty, the island was still not visible, though it was obvious we were heading for the light. Traveller beware! The boat crossing was one of the stormiest I have experienced, particularly the nearer you get to the island. Worse still, it cost 26 euro.

There is a tarmac track from the pier in West Town (approx 30 houses, and much bigger than the 10 houses in East Town) out to the lighthouse. In retrospect it seems amazing that I managed to miss it. The main road towards the west actually changes into a grass track which I soon found, ends in a bog. It was only by picking my way very carefully out of this, at the expense of soaked feet, that I discovered the tarmac track!

The distance, despite other sources, from the ferry to the light is about one mile, not the 2.5 miles I had been bracing myself for. Located on the western tip of the island, the lighthouse was erected in 1832.

Below, the light on West Town pier.

The Sound of Aran

2008-09-19T02:01:00.002-07:00

The sea route out of Burtonport, whether by the Arranmore ferry or on fishing boats, is fraught with dangerous shoals and reefs and a very definite route must be followed. Here, although not strictly lighthouses, are some of the many lights that mark the route.

Arranmore Island

2008-09-19T02:01:00.001-07:00

Bikes and taxis are available to hire on the pier, say the guide books. Not in September, they're not. So began the long hike from the pier to the lighthouse on the far side of the island. You go up and up and up. And up and up. And then, for the last mile, down. Its about four miles there, a lonely walk but spectacular views of the bay and at least its all on tarmac.
Although a station was established here in the seventeenth century, it was demolished when Tory Lighthouse opened. However, the current light was erected in 1865 after protests from the islanders.
On the way back, for the first time in 30 years, I hitched a lift from a passing truck!

Ballagh Rocks

2008-09-19T02:01:00.000-07:00

Located in the Sound of Aran, easily viewable from the boat that regularly plies its trade between Burtonport and Leagbarrow on Aranmore Island. A comparatively new lighthouse, built in 1982. There are great views from the top of Arranmore Island of the light and the surrounding bay.

Spit Bank, Cork Harbour

2008-09-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

I tried locating this lighthouse from Whitegate on the eastern bank of Cork Harbour but it isn't visible. Best seen by driving through Cobh until almost at the end of the town and then driving down a cul de sac along the front.

Doesn't really look much, but the Lighthouse Directory waxes lyrical about it. It is apparently "exceptionally rare and historic" being one of only three survivors of Alexander Mitchell's "screwpile lighthouse" design. Built in 1853, it marks a mud bank in the harbour, see pale water below.

Roches Point

2008-09-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

You'd think one of Ireland's most famous lighthouses - it is mentioned regularly on weather reports - would be signposted! Forget it. From Whitegate continue south and then take the turn right where Trabolgan has its entrance. Miss the turn and you end up in Gyleen.

Aside from the lighthouse and outbuildings, guarded by a red CIL gate, Roche's Point is home to a line of very picturesque brightly painted terraced houses all facing inland towards Cobh. "When the weather's good, the views are spectacular," a resident told me. "However, at the moment, you can't even see Cobh - its utterly ridiculous. Still, at least the foghorn isn't blaring!"

Built in 1835, this originally housed Duncannon North Light (see elsewhere), which dated from 1817. Stands as a sentinel on the eastern entrance to Cork Harbour.

Ballycotton

2008-09-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

Comparatively easy to find, lying as it does on an island off Ballycotton harbour, from where the first two pictures are taken. Actually it is on the second island out (see below) The bottom picture was taken from the north shore of Ballycotton Bay. Built in 1851, this lighthouse is completely black, save for a red galley rail and a small white hoop just above it. I love the path scored on the island's northern face like the mark of Zorro!

Capel Island

2008-09-14T01:13:00.000-07:00

A drive down through Ballymacoda and basically keep going until you see signs for a Dominican camp(?) The road descends sharply to Knocknadoon Head pier, which doesn't appear to serve any village. Capel Island lies just off the headland.

Built in the 1840s, this would probably have looked like Ballycotton (see entry above) had it been completed. The island is now run by Birdwatch Ireland.

A stump. That’s all there is. No more.
A nippled breast that rises
From the fathomless domains,
While loud gulls in many sizes
Skim like paper aeroplanes.
A stump. That’s all there is. From shore,
She bears her breastbone proudly,
Unabashed and unashamed,
While around her, waves crash loudly
As the sky becomes inflamed.
A stump.
That’s all there is.
No more.

Youghal

2008-09-14T01:05:00.000-07:00

Marking the easternmost point of the county Cork shoreline, Youghal lighthouse is described as being accessible from the N25. It isn't. The N25 now skirts the town. You need to go into the town and simply follow the main road to the southern part of the town and sure enough, it is on the former main road.

Like Mine Head below, this was built by George Halpin, a year later in 1852. It commands a spectacular view (don't all lighthouses?) across the harbour to county Waterford.

Mine Head

2008-09-14T00:55:00.000-07:00

Off into the small but perfectly formed gaeltacht enclave in county Waterford to seek out Mine Head lighthouse (teachsolais?) Of course there are no signs and now the signs are in Irish! Great! Didn't actually find the road. I tried three different roads, all of which ended up in farms. This is the nearest I got!Built in 1851, it is apparently Ireland highest lighthouse, so my picture unfortunately does not do it justice.

Ballynacourty Point

2008-09-14T00:36:00.000-07:00

A blitz of lighthouses in the west county Waterford / east county Cork area one September day with the weather gradually deteriorating. My slow progress along the coast indicative of the lack of signposting. Finding the lighthouses was more down to judging sense of direction as there is no help! This is Ballynacourty Point on the northern point of Dungarvan harbour. Found by taking the local road skirting the harbour until you can go no more, turn inland and at the T junction turn right up the road marked cul de sac. The lighthouses, along with the usual dire warnings, is located down a long skinny lane between holes 6 and 7 of the golf-course (Golfers have to cross this lane)

The lighthouse itself was built in 1858. The picture below was taken from An Rinn on the south shore of Dungarvan harbour.

Duncannon North

2008-08-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

Set in what appears to be someone's garden about a half a mile north of Duncannon Fort Lighthouse (below), this is in fact the original lighthouse that stood in Roches Point in Cork! Built in 1817 it came to Wexford in 1838.

The lighthouse and cottages are located at the end of a short lane which is unfortunately locked by a gate. The two photos above are taken from the road to Arthurstown.

The photo below is taken from Duncannon Fort. Interestingly, the guide there told me that due to a big cock-up while dredging the estuary, the light has recently been put back in active service. Indeed, I noticed it flashing while I was there.

Duncannon Fort

2008-08-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

Located where the Suir / Barrow estuary opens out before joining the sea at Hook Head / Dunmore East, this lighthouse is only partially visible from land as access to it is not open to the public. The Fort itself is open, but on request, a guide accompanied me through a locked gate to get the photo above. He told me that the light flashes white when all is well, but red whenever a boat is heading for trouble!
Both Hook Head and Duncannon North lighthouses are visible from it.

Dunmore East Lighthouse

2008-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Located at the end of the original harbour wall in Dunmore East, this Romanesque lighthouse guarded one side of the Barrow / Suir estuary, the other side watched over by Hook Head. Despite this, this whole area is known as the Graveyard of a Thousand Ships.

The lighthouse is built into a wall - the entrance must be through one of the green doors on the wall??

Consequently, the lighthouse is a lot shorter and squatter when viewed from the seaward side!!

Dunmore East Lighthouse with Hook Head across the river in the background. Further up the coast from Dunmore East (and consequently on the Waterford side of the river) is the village of Crooke - this is the origin of the phrase "By Hook or by Crooke."

There is a bit of a spur built on from the lighthouse on the old harbour wall. A new light guards this spur.

Brownstown Head, Tramore Head

2008-08-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so these are not really lighthouses but they are very definitely aids to maritime mavigation and they are lighthouse-like in appearance, so I reckon they are worthy of mention. Brownstown Head (above) is adorned with two pillars, Tramore Head (below) is adorned with three, the centre one of which plays host to the famous "Metal man," which is something of a symbol of Tramore.

Lightship Guillemot, Kilmore Quay,

2008-08-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Lightship Guillemot is now a maritime museum moored in what appears to be part of the car park in Kilmore Quay. We did not go in, mainly because the village failed to live up to our expectations both in terms of dining and accommodation, so we couldn't wait to get out of it!

Rosslare Pier Lighthouse

2008-08-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Rather a disappointing long range photo of this lighthouse at the extreme south east of Ireland. I had my wife in tow and we drove down to the ferry terminal, where the two driving options were "Check in" or "Ferry Terminal." We were still a long way from the pier at this stage, never mind the length of the pier itself. Had I been on my own , I would probably have parked up and continued on foot, but whereas my wife allows for my lighthouse fascination, sitting in a car for 40 minutes would be a light too far!
I therefore chose discretion over valour and took this shot from the approach road overlooking the harbour.

Arklow Pier Light

2008-06-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Located at the end of the South Pier of Arklow harbour, which has been very ineffectively barricaded off by low railings. Rusting and graffiti ridden, this is located on the concrete pier head, which is also ineffectively barricaded off ffrom the lower level.

Lightship Skua, Arklow North Quay

2008-06-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Moored on the North Quay in Arklow, this is starting to look a sorry sight with a lot of rust prevalent. The site is open, with yellow stickers on the side of the boat warning people to Keep Out.

Lightship Albatross, Arklow North Quay

2008-06-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, not the complete Lightship Albatross but the light tower and lantern, which seems to be enclosed in the grounds of a new plush waterside apartment block. The rest of the boat is apparently in Pigeon House Harbour in Dublin. I tried to find it but despite numerous enquiries, nobody on Pigeon House Road seemed to know where Pigeon House Harbour was.

Wicklow Head Low Lighthouse

2008-06-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

The active lighthouse is cut into the cliff, not really visible until you walk around the headland from the other lights. Steps - with a chain across them - lead down to the complex which appears to consist of whitewashed cottages and offices

Wicklow Head High Lighthouse (2)

2008-06-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Closer to the sea than its taller neighbour, this light lasted till 1865 till the fog problem made it useless. Reached by a winding path from the top lighthouse.

Wicklow Head High Lighthouse (1)

2008-06-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

The oldest of the three lighthouses on Wicklow Head, apparently, like its nearest neighbour, built too high up on the cliff and liable to be enveloped by fog! According to locals, this octagonal tower is now split up into holiday apartments, presumably one on each floor. Reached by a private road (with the obligatory Private Property, Do not enter or you will be shot notices on the gate)

Wicklow East Pier

2008-06-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Not exactly sure why this is called the East Pier. Wicklow is on a north-south coastline, so I reckon this light is on the South Pier. These pictures taken from the end of the North (West) Pier. Pier not very long.

North Wall Quay (Dublin Port)

2008-06-29T12:32:00.000-07:00

After 15 minutes driving around Dublin Port in the rain trying to find this lighthouse, I gave up and opted instead for a picture from the South Bank of the Liffey.

Kish Lighthouse, Dublin Bay

2008-06-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

Can you see it??????
Taken from halfway down Howth Head. Photo doesn't really do justice to the architectural merit of this most unique building.

The Baily Lighthouse, Howth Head

2008-06-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Right! I am now staking a claim for gobshyte of the year.

The last time I was out on Howth Head summit, I remembered looking down to the lighthouse. Consequently, I parked right up at the top of the summit in the car park there and walked right down a narrow track cut between the ferns and gorse to the lighthouse. It was only when about ten yards from the gate, that I saw the road. Immediately I realised that such an important light, complete with helipad for servicing Kish and Rockabill, would be bound to have road access.

Actually, the further down Howth Head you come, the more the lighthouse disappears from view. The gate of course was festooned with the usual Private Property, Death to all Trespassers notices that I duly ignored. The short laneway leads to the keepers cottages and then starts to dip, giving a good view of the light, which looks remarkably similar to the one on Howth Head.

Walking back up to the summit was not much fun. By the time I got back to the car, my legs were twitching involuntarily and my thighs seized up the following morning.

Howth Harbour (2)

2008-06-29T11:31:00.001-07:00

This is the newer of the two end-of-pier Howth lighthouses, built on a bit of a spur from the end of the old pier. Again, no graffiti, possibly because local vandals can't be bothered to walk that far.

Howth Harbour (1)

2008-06-29T11:24:00.001-07:00

A longer walk out to the end of the pier at Howth than Skerries but you get rewarded by not one but two lighthouses. This is the older, no-longer active lighthouse with keepers' cottage attached, unpainted, but the stone is very clean and there is no graffiti, despite it being readily accessible. There are even window boxes on the windows of the cottage. A plaque dates this to 1817.

Rockabill Lighthouse (again)

2008-06-29T11:21:00.001-07:00

And, revisiting further in July 2009, this time with my camcorder which has better magnification than my camera, the picture below was taken from the harbour at Rush, while the one above was taken from the sea front at Skerries.

Further to the previous Rockabill entry, this photo was taken from the green area on Skerries Head. The lighthouse is the vertical thing sticking up from the island!

Skerries Bay Pierhead

2008-06-29T11:15:00.001-07:00

Not particularly one of the more exciting lights I've come across. Basically this is just a square white box at the end of the shortish pier, the light facing outwards (naturally)

Aleria (Drogheda) Lighthouse, Drogheda

2008-06-29T11:06:00.001-07:00

Another spectacular failure to locate a lighthouse. The Lighthouse Directory says it is "located at the end of a rubblestone jetty on the north side of the entrance of the River Boyne." Preliminary mapwork was not hopeful as there appeared to be no roads going anywhere near the entrance of the Boyne on the north bank. I drove to the village of Baltray and then down a track, which was really one big pothole interspersed with little bits of laneway.
After about 1km of this, I seriously began to worry for the underside of the car, my exhaust and my tyres. I have a Toyota Yaris, not a bloody Freelander. I stopped, got out and walked on another half a mile or so but could still see no sign of the object of my search, so turned around and came back.
The picture above is of one of the many beacons that mark the Boyne from Drogheda Port to the mouth. They reminded me of the monastic beehive huts found on Skellig Michael.

Clogherhead Lighthouse

2008-06-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, hunt the lighthouse. According to the Lighthouse directory, the light in Clogherhead is "mounted on a two storey concrete and metal pier building" Well, after accosting two early morning hikers on Clogherhead Strand - seeing nothing that resembled a light - I was informed that the pier was a mile further down the road.
On arrival there, I could see nothing that resembled a light. The picture above is of the only two-storey building on the pier (and yes, it is metal and concrete) but there was nothing that fitted the description of a light. Two fishermen on the pier scratched their heads. Another local said the pier had only been restored about a year ago, but he couldn't remember a light ever having been there.

Black Head Lighthouse

2008-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

On a wild and windy day, we rounded the north west coast of co. Clare and nearly missed it, as it is set down near the shore behind a wall, Watch out for a gate with a yellow sign marked Caution - No entry. Stone steps lead down to it. Parking space for one car opposite the gate!!

Rockabill Lighthouse

2007-12-12T04:40:00.001-08:00

This is a bit of a cheat, as I haven't actually got around to seeing this one yet except from the air! Located off Skerries, most views of it are aerial, so this is a rare ground view. Picture painted by Finbarr Collins (not really!)

Lightship Kittiwake, Dun Laoghaire, co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the harbour in Dun Laoghaire

The Commissioners of Irish Lights have put the former automatic lightfloat Kittiwake up for sale on an "as is where is" basis. The ship is currently moored on the Carlisle Pier and was built of steel in 1959. It is 41.8 metres long with a mean draught of 3.35 metres and an approximate displacement of 600 tons.

Update: (June 2008) The Lightship has since been sold and is moored on the Liffey adjacent to the "Point Village" development

Dun Laoghaire West Lighthouse, co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

This was the nearest I got to the West Lighthouse. The two lighthouses are situated at either end of the harbour entrance. I chose to walk the East Pier.

Dun Laoghaire East Lighthouse, co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

At the end of a long walk along the harbour wall, it was rather disappointing to find the lighthouse blocked off by the castle-like ramparts near the end.

Muglins Lighthouse, Dalkey, co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

The top picture is not mine. The bottom picture is how near to it I could get. The land in front of it is another island. This is really more a light than a lighthouse.

North Bank Lighthouse, co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

Further in towards Dublin than Poolbeg, this yoke sits in the middle of the mouth of the Liffey. Sadly, the docks conspire to block the closest view.

North Bull Lighthouse co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

Located at the end of the North Bull Wall, opposite Poolbeg Light. This is the nearest I could get to it, not having a boat.

Poolbeg Lighthouse, co. Dublin

2007-09-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

This dumpy lighthouse sits at the very end of a long breakwater. Even though you can drive your car most of the way there, it is still a good 15 minutes walk from the nearest car access. More terracotta than red, at least you can touch the thing!!

Hook Head Lighthouse, co. Wexford

2007-08-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

A brilliant lighthouses and one of the oldest in Europe. You can have a guided tour and can go up to all the various levels almost to the top, from where the sea crashing against the rocks below is quite spectacular. Visitors shop, cafe, etc etc

Loop Head, co. Clare

2007-08-30T13:33:00.001-07:00

Like most of our lighthouses, only reached by a long drive down a very narrow and precipitous track. The lighthouse itself is enclosed by a whitewashed wall which prevents you getting anywhere near it.

Tarbert Lighthouse, co. Kerry

2007-08-29T13:21:00.001-07:00

This was taken on the ferry crossing from Tarbert to Killimer.

Mizen Head Lighthouse, co. Cork

2007-08-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Another brilliant lighthouse, reached by a long, narrow drive across spectacular scenery and then a bit of a walk around a headland over a narrow bridge to get here. Not a tower lighthouse, as the building is already at a height above sea-level. There is a bit of a tour around it and a shop too.

Greenore Lighthouse, co. Louth

2007-08-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

Actually inside the dock area and so only viewed over a whitewashed wall

Drogheda North Lighthouse, co. Meath

2007-08-29T12:54:00.001-07:00

On a track near the mouth of the Boyne estuary (south side) Light surrounded by wall within a private dwelling. This photo taken from the car as a large Alsatian prevented closer inspection!

Drogheda West Lighthouse, co. Meath

2007-08-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Along a track leading to the beach at Mornigton at the mouth of the Boyne estuary. Graffiti strewn. Within the grounds of a private house but good views from nearby.

Drogheda East Lighthouse, co. Meath

2007-08-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

Along a track leading to Mornington beach on the south side of the Boyne estuary. Surrounded by a brick wall, the whole thing rather resembles an electricity power station. Views either over the wall or through the barred gate. Note Drogheda West Lighthouse in the background

Balbriggan Lighthouse, co. Dublin

2007-08-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Located at the end of the harbour wall in Balbriggan - Lighthouse could probably do with a bit of a clean up!

Haulbowline, co. Down

2007-08-29T12:39:00.001-07:00

The top photo is not mine. The bottom is taken from the beach at Cranfield Point in co Down

Killyleagh Lighthouse, co. Down

2007-08-29T12:35:00.001-07:00

Is this a lighthouse? My Ireland road atlas says it is, but I can find no reference elsewhere to this light in Strangford Lough. This view from the harbour area of Killyleagh.

Swan Island, Strangford

2007-08-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is situated smack bang in the middle of the entrance to Strangford Lough. I didn't take the ferry, so this is taken from Strangford.

St. John's Point, co. Down

2007-08-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

On a wild headland. The road goes all the way up there but there is a sign at a gate about 200 yards away saying "No Visitors Allowed" from where this photo was taken.