Lighthouses of Ireland's West Coast

This page covers lighthouses of the west coast of the Republic of Ireland, in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, and Kerry. This is a beautiful coast, often rugged, exposed to the full force of Atlantic storms, and very dangerous to ships. It is guarded by a series of handsome nineteenth century lighthouses, nearly all of them still in service under the maintenance of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume A of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 114. General Sources Commissioners of Irish Lights Founded in 1786 by the Irish Parliament, the Commissioners maintain lighthouses in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Online List of Lights - Ireland Great photos posted by Alexander Trabas. Lighthouses in Ireland Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com. Pete's Irish Lighthouses An informative blog on the lighthouses of Ireland. Lights of Ireland Photos by John Eagle posted by Bill Britten on his Lighthouse Getaway site. Irish Lighthouse Selection Photos from Pete Amass. Irsko Photos by Anna Krákorova.

Inishtearaght Light Commissioners of Irish Lights photo

County Donegal Lighthouses

Lough Foyle Lighthouses

* Inishowen Head (Stroove) 1837. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 22.5 m (74 ft) round "two-stage" tower with lantern and double gallery. The lower portion is a 15 m (49 ft) granite tower built in 1837 by George Halpin; the upper portion is a 7.5 m (25 ft) cast iron tower added by J.S. Sloane in 1871. Lighthouse painted white with two narrow black horizontal bands (at the top and bottom of the cast iron section). Fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s). Three 2-story keeper's houses; one is occupied by a resident attendent and the others serve as vacation cottages for CIL staff. Trabas has a good closeup, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The light station has a complex history, as several generations of managers sought to provide adequate warning of the dangerous Tuns Bank offshore. Originally there was a second 15 m (49 ft) granite tower, identical to the first, about 140 m (153 yd) to the east. This became the low light after the west tower was raised in 1871. The east tower was deactivated in 1961 and, unfortunately, demolished. A historic photo showing both towers can be compared to a similar modern photo by Andy McInroy. The light station is actually located on at Dunagree Point, 1 km (0.6 mi) south of Inishowen Head, marking the entrance to Lough Foyle. Accessible by road at the end of the R241 highway about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Greencastle. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the enclosure. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-043; Admiralty A6084; NGA 7076.

Inishowen Head Light, April 2005 Creative Commons photo by Greg Clarke

Warren Point

Date unknown (station established 1861). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 1.5 s. 8 m (27 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with lantern, painted white with green trim. Trabas has an excellent closeup; Eoin O'Riordan has another photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The light has long been located on the Greencastle Golf Club, founded in 1892. Located 2.4 km (1.5 mi) southwest of the Inishowen Head Light and about the same distance northeast of Greencastle. Site and tower closed. Operator: Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners. Site manager: Greencastle Golf Club. ARLHS IRE-112; Admiralty A6088; NGA 7080.

Moville

1882. Active; focal plane 11 m (37 ft); flash every 2.5 s, white to the southeast and red to the northwest. 13.5 m (44 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery rising from a small watch room, mounted on a platform supported by piles. Trabas has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and there is a brief history of this and other Lough Foyle lights. This lighthouse is the largest of a series of pile lights built on Lough Foyle during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Keepers lived in town, but spent the night in the watch room. Located about 550 m (1/3 mi) south of the old quay at Moville, on the northwest side of the lough. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners. ARLHS IRE-106; Admiralty A6096; NGA 7092.

North Coast Lighthouses
Inishtrahull (West)

1958 (fog signal station established in 1905). Active; focal plane 59 m (194 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2.3 s, every 15 s. 23 m (75 ft) round cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; 375 mm lens. A diaphone fog signal (deactivated in 1987) is mounted atop the lantern, so from a distance the lighthouse appears to be wearing a hat. 2-story keeper's house, fog signal building (inactive since 1958), and other light station buildings. Marinas.com has good aerial photos, and a distant view is available. Inishtrahull is a rocky, uninhabited island 10 km (6 mi) north of Malin Head, the northernmost point of the Irish mainland. Inishtrahull Light, Ireland's northernmost lighthouse, is the traditional landfall light for ships arriving at the North Channel. The first lighthouse on the island was built in 1812 at the east end; it was deactivated in 1958 and demolished the following year. Located at the west end of the island; accessible only by helicopter (landing from a boat is very dangerous). Site and tower closed. ARLHS IRE-045; Admiralty A6164; NGA 7236.

* Dunree Head

1876. Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); two white flashes every 5 s, with red sectors displayed near shore in both directions. 6 m (20 ft) lantern, placed directly on the ground, attached to 1-story keeper's house. Lantern and buildings painted white. Fresnel lens in use. Trabas also has a good photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. CIL's web page for Fanad Head Light has some of the history of this station. Located on a sharp headland on the east side of Lough Swilly opposite Portsalon and about 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Buncrana. Site evidently open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-030; Admiralty A6172; NGA 7244.

* Fanad Head (2) 1886 (station established 1817). Active; focal plane 39 m (127 ft); five white flashes every 20 s. 22 m (72 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, connected by a covered walkway to 2-story keeper's house; 300 mm lens. Several additional keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. A photo is at right, Trabas has a great photo, Kathy Collins has a nice closeup photo., and Marinas.com has aerial photos. One of the keeper's houses is occupied by a resident attendent. This lighthouse stands on a very picturesque site at the western entrance to Lough Swilly, making the lighthouse a favorite subject of photographers. The original lighthouse was a sibling of Mutton Island Light, Galway (see below). Located atop a vertical cliff about 3 km (2 mi) northeast of Arryheernabin. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the enclosure. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-085; Admiralty A6168; NGA 7240.

Fanad Head Light, July 2008 Creative Commons photo by Filko Dawidzinski

* Tory Island (Thoraigh)

1832. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); four white flashes, separated by 5 s, every 30 s, day and night. 27 m (88 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted in broad black and white horizontal bands. 1° Fresnel lens (1887) in use. 2-story keeper's houses and other buildings; one of the keeper's houses is occupied by a resident attendent. Trabas has a closeup photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Like Inishtrahull, this lighthouse is an important landfall light for ships arriving to the north of Ireland. Tory Island, a popular tourist destination, is accessible in the summer by passenger ferry from Magheroarty and Bunbeg. Located at the western end of the island, about 4 km (2.5 mi) from the ferry landing; accessible by hiking trail. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the enclosure. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-075; Admiralty A6200; NGA 7280.

Inishsirrer

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 3.7 s. 4 m (13 ft) square white concrete equipment room with the light mounted on the top. Trabas has a photo. Inishsirrer is an island about 6 km (4.5 mi) northwest of Bunbeg. No longer inhabited, the island is a wildlife refuge. Located at the western tip of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: unknown. Site manager: Inishsirrer and Inishmeane Special Protection Area. ARLHS IRE-121; Admiralty A6204; NGA 7288.

Aran Island and Aran Sound Lighthouses

* Aranmore (2) 1865 (station established 1798, inactive 1832-1865). Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); two white flashes, separated by 4 s, every 20 s; an auxiliary light shows a red flash every 3 s, at a focal plane of 61 m (200 ft) over the Stags Rocks to the northeast. 23 m (75 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 3° Fresnel lens (1953) in use. 2-story keeper's house, unoccupied. The light station, closed when Tory Island Light was established, was reopened as a result of years of protests. The original station was demolished to provide building material for the new tower, a sibling of Rathlin O'Birne Light (see below). Trabas has posted a closeup photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Aran Island is accessible by car ferry from Burtonport. The attendent for the lighthouse now lives in Leabgarrow, the only town on the island. Located at the northwest corner of the island about 7 km (4 mi) northwest of Leabgarrow; accessible by road but no parking provided. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-002; Admiralty A6208; NGA 7296. Ballagh Rocks 1982. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 2.5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round conical tower with a rounded top, the light being mounted at the peak, attached to a square 1-story equipment room. Lighthouse painted white with one horizontal black band. Trabas has a photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on a rocky reef in the northern entrance to the Sound of Aran, about 800 m (1/2 mi) northeast of Leabgarrow. Accessible only by by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: unknown. ARLHS IRE-005; Admiralty A6210.

Aranmore Light, July 2007 Creative Commons photo by Kenneth Allen

* Wyon (Wine) Point

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4.5 m (15 ft) square white concrete equipment room with the light mounted on the top. Trabas has a photo. Located on a headland about 1.6 km (1 mi) northwest of Maghery, marking the southern entrance to the Sound of Aran. Site open, tower closed. Operator: unknown. Admiralty A6213.8; NGA 7304.

Donegal Bay Lighthouses
Rathlin O'Birne

1856. Active; focal plane 35 m (116 ft); flash every 15 s, red to the northeast and white in other directions. 20 m (66 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 1-story keeper's house and other buildings. Trabas has an aerial photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com also has aerial photos. This was the first major Irish lighthouse to be converted to solar power, in 1994. The lighthouse is located on Rathlin O'Birne, a small island about 3 km (2 mi) west of Malin Beg, off the southwestern tip of County Donegal; it marks the northern entrance to Donegal Bay. Accessible only by boat; there are distant views from the mainland. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-058; Admiralty A6216; NGA 7332.

Rotten Island

1838. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 4 s; red flashes are shown to the south southeast to warn ships on a collision course with the island. 14.5 m (47 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 1-story keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. CIL has no web page for this lighthouse, but Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Trabas has a closeup by John Eagle. Located on a small island northeast of St. John's Point in the entrance to Killybegs Harbour. Accessible only by boat; there are distant views from the mainland and from the St. John's Point peninsula. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-065; Admiralty A6224; NGA 7340.

* St. John's Point 1831. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); one long (1.5 s) white flash every 6 s. 14.5 m (47 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A large Fresnel lens is in use. 1-story keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. At least one of the keeper's houses is occupied, presumably by a resident keeper. Note that there is a somewhat-better-known St. John's Point Light in County Down, Northern Ireland. Marinas.com has aerial photos, Trabas has a closeup photo by John Eagle, and Chris Burrell has a photo. St. John's Point is a narrow, 15 km long peninsula extending southwest into Donegal Bay south of Dunkineely. The lighthouse is at the end of the peninsula, with spectacular views of the bay and the Irish coast. Accessible by road, although the road is reported to be poor (4WD recommended). Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the enclosure. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-096; Admiralty A6222; NGA 7336.

St. John's Point Light, March 2006 anonymous Creative Commons photo

County Sligo Lighthouses

Blackrock Sligo

1835 (extension of 1819 daybeacon). Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 5 s; an auxiliary light at 12 m (41 ft) shows a red flash every 3 s to the northwest over Wheat and Seal Rocks. 25 m (83 ft) round stone tower, comprising an 11 m (36 ft) solid limestone daybeacon built in 1819 topped by a 14 m (47 ft) limestone tower with lantern and gallery. Access to the lighthouse is by an external spiral stairway built around the lower segment of the tower. Lighthouse painted white with a single black horizontal band just above the joint in the tower. Trabas has a great closeup by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The first daybeacon was built on the rock in the late 1700s; it was swept away by a storm in 1814. Note that there is another Blackrock Light, not so far away in County Mayo (see below). Located on a rocky islet, awash at high tide, marking the beginning of the approach to Sligo Harbour from Sligo Bay. Accessible only by boat; distantly visible from Raghley or Rosses Point on the mainland. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-011; Admiralty A6232; NGA 7360.

Lower Rosses

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) tower with gallery, the light atop a white square equipment room mounted on wooden pilings. Trabas has a photo. This directional light guides ships through the Needles Channel as they enter Sligo Harbour. Located about 200 m (650 ft) offshore and about 1.6 km (1 mi) north of Rosses Point. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-063; Admiralty A6236; NGA 7364.

[Metal Man (Range Front)] 1821. Active; focal plane 3 m (10 ft); white flash every 4 s. Light mounted on a short mast on a concrete base; standing beside the light is a cast iron sculpture of a sailor, his cap and coat painted dark blueand his trousers painted white, his arm outstretched to warn ships away from the rocks. Trabas has a great photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. According to CIL's web page for Blackrock Light, this statue originally was intended to be placed atop the 1819 Blackrock daybeacon; it was relocated when a decision was made to convert that beacon to a lighthouse. The figure, commissioned by the widow of ship captain who wrecked nearby, was designed by the sculptor John Kirk. Another figure cast from the same mold stands on a daybeacon at Tramore, near Waterford on the other side of Ireland. Located off Rosses Point; easily visible from shore. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-051; Admiralty A6244; NGA 7368. Oyster Island (Metal Man Range Rear) 1821. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, 3 s on, 1 s off. 12 m (40 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted buff, lantern white, gallery rail red. Trabas has a good photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the northwestern point of Oyster Island about 365 m (1/4 mi) southeast of the Metal Man beacon. Accessible only by boat; visible from Rosses Point. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-056; Admiralty A6244.1; NGA 7372.

Oyster Island Light, May 2008 Creative Commons photo by Kenneth Allen

County Mayo Lighthouses

Mullet Peninsula Area Lighthouses

Broadhaven (Ballyglass)

1848 (not lit until 1855). Active; focal plane 27 m (87 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 15 m (50 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; gallery rail painted red. 1-story keeper's house. Trabas' has a closeup photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Because approval for a lighthouse could not be secured, the tower was built initially as a daymark. The light marks the start of the approach to Belmullet. Located on a promentory (known as Ballyglass Point or Gubacashel Point) on the west side of the entrance to the narrow portion of Broadhaven Bay, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Knocknalina. It is not clear if there is public road access to this site. Site status unknown, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-086; Admiralty A6266; NGA 7380.

Eagle Island (West)

1835. Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2.5 s, every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 2-story keeper's house, unoccupied, and other buildings protected from the sea by a high stone wall rising almost to gallery level. Trabas has John Eagle's view from the sea, and Marinas.com has good aerial photos. Originally the station had twin towers, with the east tower being 120 m (132 yd) northeast of the surviving tower. Despite the elevation of the station, it has been hit more than once by huge storm waves sweeping off the open Atlantic. A monster wave on March 11, 1861, actually broke over the east light, shattering the lantern and flooding the tower. The east light was discontinued in 1895 and its tower was reduced in height. A shore station for the lighthouse was established at Corclough in 1900; keeper's houses there were sold into private ownership in 1956 and probably survive. Located on a small island off Doonamo Head at the northwestern tip of County Mayo. Accessible only by helicopter; visible distantly from Corclough, about 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Belmullet. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-031; Admiralty A6268; NGA 7384.

Eagle Island East

1835. Inactive since 1895. This round stone tower was originally 26.5 m (87 ft) tall, showing its light at the same focal plane as the west tower. After deactivation, the lantern was removed and the tower was reduced in height to about 12 m (40 ft). It can be seen at the far right in Trabas's photo of the station. Located on a small island off Doonamo Head at the northwestern tip of County Mayo. Accessible only by helicopter; visible distantly from Corclough, about 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Belmullet. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-115.

* Blacksod Point

1864. Active; focal plane 13 m (42 ft); two white flashes every 7.5 s; red flashes are shown over rocks to the south southwest. 12 m (40 ft) 2-story granite block keeper's house topped by a lantern; house is unpainted, lantern painted white. Trabas has a good closeup photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The keeper's house is occupied by a resident attendent, who is also responsible for Blackrock Light (next entry). The house was repaired after being damaged by a huge wave in 1989. Located at the south end of the Mullet Peninsula, at or near the end of the R313 highway about 7 km (4 mi) south of Aughleam. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-012; Admiralty A6272; NGA 7392.

Blackrock Mayo

1864. Active; focal plane 86 m (282 ft); white flash every 12 s; red flashes are shown over a sector to the east. 15 m (50 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery attached to 1-story keeper's houses. Lighthouse painted white. One of Ireland's most remote lighthouses. Trabas has a fine aerial photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com also has good aerial photos. A shore station was constructed in Blacksod; keeper's houses there were sold into private ownership in 1957 and probably survive. In 1999, when the light was converted to solar power, one of the keeper's houses was restored to provide accommodations for work crews doing maintenance on the light. The other house is unroofed and has been gutted inside. Note that there is another Blackrock Light in Sligo (see above). Located atop a high rocky islet about 20 km (12 mi) west of Blacksod Point. Accessible only by helicopter. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-010; Admiralty A6270; NGA 7388.

Clew Bay Lighthouses

Achillbeg 1965. Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); flash every 5 s, red or white depending on direction. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern attached to a small square concrete equipment building. Trabas has John Eagle's view from the sea. This modern lighthouse was built to replace the Clare Island Light. Located on a small island off Cloughmore on the south side of Achill Island, marking the northern entrance to Clew Bay; there should be views from the Cloughmore area. Accessible only boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-001; Admiralty A6276; NGA 7416. * Clare Island (2) 1818 (station established 1806). Inactive since 1965. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-story keeper's house. Buildings painted white. Additional keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Mark Zanzig has a great closeup photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original lighthouse, built by the Marquis of Sligo to mark the entrance to Clew Bay, was replaced after being heavily damaged by fire in September 1813. The light was moved to Achillbeg Island in 1965. After deactivation, the lighthouse was sold, restored by private owners, and operated as a bed and breakfast inn. In 2001 the owners retired, and the lighthouse was sold again, this time as a private residence for Lady Georgina Forbes. In 2006 it was once again on the market, and in 2008 it was sold for €1.05 million to a German doctor as a vacation home. Clare Island is accessible by passenger ferry from Roonagh Quay west of Louisburgh. Located on the northern tip of the island. Site and tower closed, although the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the enclosure. Owner/site magare: private. ARLHS IRE-017.

Achillbeg Light Commissioners of Irish Lights photo

Inishgort

1827. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); one long (2 s) flash every 10 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Keeper's house and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Trabas has a photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on a small island off the harbor of Westport. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-042; Admiralty A6278; NGA 7428.

County Galway Lighthouses

West Coast Lighthouses

[Gun Rock (Inishbofin) (2)] Date unknown (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. Light mounted on a small square equipment cabinet, painted white with a red vertical stripe. Dan Heller has several photos, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The real item of interest at this site is an approximately 10 m (33 ft) round masonry tower, painted white. This tower looks exactly like a former lighthouse, but light lists have no record of it ever being lit. We need information on the history of this tower. Located on a rock off the south coast of Inishbofin island, about 8 km (5 mi) west northwest of Cleggan. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: unknown. Admiralty A6282; NGA 7436. Cleggan Point Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); three flashes every 15 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4.5 m (15 ft) square white concrete equipment room with the light mounted on the top. Trabas has a photo. Located on a rocky headland at the northern entrance to the harbor of Cleggan, about 2 km (1.25 mi) northwest of the town. May be accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: unknown. Admiralty A6284; NGA 7440. Slyne Head (West) 1836. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2.4 s, every 15 s. 24 m (79 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, tower and lantern painted black. Keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Jean Guichard has a dramatic photo of the station above an angry sea, Marc Frey has a distant view, Trabas has a good aerial photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. CIL has no web page for this lighthouse, and we need information on its history. The light was converted to solar power in 2002. Located on a rocky islet off Slyne Head, the westernmost point of County Galway, about 12 km (8.5 mi) southwest of Doonlaughan. Accessible only by helicopter. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-069; Admiralty A6288; NGA 7444.

Gun Rock Beacon, Inishbofin, July 2006 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Slyne Head (East)

1836. Inactive since 1898. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) round stone tower, unpainted. Keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Trabas has a good aerial photo by John Eagle. Slyne Head originally had twin towers, with the east tower now abandoned. Located on a rocky islet off Slyne Head, the westernmost point of County Galway, about 12 km (8.5 mi) southwest of Doonlaughan. Accessible only by helicopter. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-124.

[Tern Island ("Mini Slyne Head")

2003 (beacon built in the 1960s). Active; two white flashes, separated by 2.4 s, every 15 s (same characteristic as Slyne Head Light). The form and height of this light are not known. Apparently located just to the west of Slyne Head (the geographic coordinates are the same) but on a different islet. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-125.

* Inishnee (2)

1961 (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) square white concrete equipment room with the light mounted on the top. Trabas has a photo. Inishnee is a large island in Bertraghboy Bay. Located at the southwestern point of the island, marking the east side of the entrance to the harbor of Roundstone. The island is accessible by bridge. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. Admiralty A6290; NGA 7448.

Croaghnakeela

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (22 ft); white flash every 3.7 s. 4 m (13 ft) square white concrete equipment room with the light mounted on the top. Trabas has a distant photo. Croaghnakeela is a small island facing the open Atlantic about 8 km (5 mi) west of Ard. Formerly inhabited, it is now a deer sanctuary. Located on the southwestern side of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. Admiralty A6292; NGA 7452.

Galway Harbour Lighthouses

Mutton Island 1817. Inactive since 1977. Round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, originally painted white, attached to 1-story keeper's house. Keeper's house in ruins, open to the elements. A photo is at right, Claddagh School has a web page with a good photo of the lighthouse, John Greene has a 2008 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This abandoned lighthouse was reported in very poor condition as of 2004; it has surely been one of Ireland's most endangered lighthouses. In January 2005, however, the Galway Civic Trust and the Heritage Office of the Galway City Council began a restoration project funded by a grant of 40,000 euros. Located next to a sewage treatment plant on a small island off Salthill about 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Galway; the island accessible from the mainland by causeway. Site status unknown. Owner: City of Galway. Site manager: Galway Civic Trust. ARLHS IRE-107. Galway Harbour (Leverets) 1977(?). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); quick-flashing white, red or green light, depending on direction. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and a small gallery. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern is unpainted metallic gray. Trabas has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This modern lighthouse replaced the Mutton Island Light as the main light for Galway Harbour. Located in Galway Bay about 1.5 km (1 mi) southeast of the harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/operator: Galway Harbour Company. ARLHS IRE-104; Admiralty A6317; NGA 7508.

Mutton Island Light Galway Civic Trust photo

Aran Islands Lighthouses
Note: The Aran Islands, located in the mouth of Galway Bay, are part of County Galway. The principal island, Inishmore, is accessible by ferry from Rossaveal on the north side of Galway Bay. Both Inishmore and Inisheer, the southernmost island, are accessible by passenger ferry from Doolin, County Clare, on the south side of the bay.
Eeragh (Aran North)

1857. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 15 s. 31 m (101 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with two horizontal black bands. Lantern painted white. 1-story keeper's house; other buildings demolished. Trabas has an aerial photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com also has aerial photos. Since 1996 the light has been powered by a wind turbine. Located on a bare, rocky island at the northwestern end of the Aran group. Accessible only by boat; should be visible from the western end of Inishmore. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-032; Admiralty A6296; NGA 7472.

* Inishmore (Dun Oghil)

1818. Inactive since 1857. Approx. 15 m (50 ft) round stone tower with gallery, unpainted. Lantern removed. Ruined stone keeper's houses enclosed by a stone wall. Daemon Todd has a good photo, a 2008 photo is available, and ARLHS also has a photo. This lighthouse, located in the center of the Aran Islands, failed to warn ships away from the dangerous ends of the group, so it was replaced by the lighthouses at Eeragh and Inisheer. The lighthouse is clearly part of a private residence, and at the time of the photo it was for sale. Located atop a hill about 120 m (400 ft) high in the center of Inishmore. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be sen from otside the gate. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS IRE-087.

Straw Island 1878. Active; focal plane 11 m (37 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 10.5 m (35 ft) narrow round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-story generator building. Lighthouse painted white; the gallery railing is painted red giving the tower the appearance of having a red horizontal band. Keeper's house demolished in 1938. A wind turbine provides power for the light. A photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on a small island at the entrance to Killeany Harbour near the southeastern end of Inishmore. Accessible only by boat; the lighthouse is easily viewed from ferries arriving in Killeany from Rossaveal. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-072; Admiralty A6298; NGA 7480. * Inisheer (Fardurris Point) 1857. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white light, 6 s on, 6 s off; red light is shown over rocks to the east. 34 m (112 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a single broad horizontal black band. Two keeper's houses enclosed by a stone wall. Gerard Kingma has a photo, Scott Jon Siegel has a closeup, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Inisheer is accessible by passenger ferry from Doolin, and the lighthouse is accessible by hiking trail. Located on the southeastern point of the island. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-041; Admiralty A6334; NGA 7496.

Inisheer Light, March 2005 Creative Commons photo by Aiden Clarke

County Clare Lighthouses

Galway Bay Lighthouse

* Black Head 1936. Active; focal plane 20 m (67 ft); white flash every 5 s; red flashes are shown over rocks to the east. 8.5 m (28 ft) square cylindrical concrete (?) tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No traces of keeper's houses; presumably this light was automated from the beginning. Note there is also a Blackhead Light in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Laurenz Bobke's photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent closeup by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos (misidentified as the County Antrim light). The Carters visited this site; they report the light was built by the Galway Harbour Commissioners and was transferred to CIL in 1955. Located just off the spectacular R477 highway along the south shore of Galway Bay, about 7.5 km (4.5 mi) north of Fanore. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-009; Admiralty A6332; NGA 7500. Shannon Estuary Lighthouses ** Loophead (3) 1854 (station established about 1670). Active; focal plane 84 m (277 ft); four white flashes, separated by 2.4 s, every 20 s. 23 m (75 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Two 2-story keeper's houses and other buildings. Gordie Ryan has a fine photo, Trabas has a fine closeup photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This famous light station marks the north side of the entrance to the estuary of the River Shannon. The original lighthouse, a stone cottage with a brazier for a coal fire on the roof, was replaced by a conventional lighthouse in 1802. Part of the wall of the cottage light survives. One of the keeper's houses has been renovated and is available for vacation rental; another is occupied by a resident attendent. Located atop a vertical cliff on a sharp promentory at the end of the R487 highway about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Kilbaha. Site open; attendent may conduct tours of the tower. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-050; Admiralty A6338; NGA 7528.

Black Head Light, August 2005 Creative Commons photo by Laurenz Bobke

* Kilcredaun Point

1824. Active; focal plane 41 m (133 ft); white flash every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery attached to 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a good closeup by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on a promentory on the north side of the Shannon estuary about 5 km (3 mi) south of Carrigaholt. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-046; Admiralty A6340; NGA 7532.

* Scattery Island (Rineana)

1872. Active; focal plane 15 m (50 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 1-story keeper's house nearby appears abandoned. Trabas also has a good closeup photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The Fresnel lens, removed when the lighthouse was converted to solar power in 2002, is on display at the Scattery Island Centre in Kilrush. Scattery Island, site of a sixth century monastery, is now a nature reserve; tours of the island are available from Kilrush. Lighthouse located on the south side of the island in the Shannon estuary about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Kilrush. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-066; Admiralty A6342; NGA 7536.

Beeves Rock

1855 (George Halpin). Active; focal plane 12 m (40 ft) (?); white flash every 5 s; red flashes are shown to the north and northwest. 18 m (60 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery rising through the center of a 1-1/2 story stone keeper's house, surrounded by a sea wall at least 4 m (13 ft) high. Tower and keeper's house are unpainted stone; lantern painted white. Trabas has a good closeup by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The listed focal plane height seems too low. The lighthouse replaced a stone daybeacon built in 1816. Long maintained by CIL, it was transferred to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners in 1981. Located in the Shannon estuary off the mouth of the Fergus estuary, north of Askeaton. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Limerick Harbour Commissioners. ARLHS IRE-008; Admiralty A6348; NGA 7576.

* Spillane's Tower

1885. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) medieval castellated round stone tower with a solar-powered light mounted on the top. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light is on the south side of the Shannon near the western edge of the city of Limerick. Site apparently open, tower status unknown. Operator: Limerick Harbour Commissioners. Admiralty A6386.

County Kerry Lighthouses

Lighthouses

Tarbert Island 1834. Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft) (?); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off; red light is shown in a narrow sector westward over Bowline Rock. 22.5 m (74 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A spidery cast iron bridge, built about 1840, connects the tower to shore. Keeper's house apparently demolished. The listed focal plane height seems too low. The lighthouse is now dwarfed by the huge smokestacks of an electric power generating plant built immediately behind. Charles Glynn's photo is at right, Trabas has a fine photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Long maintained by CIL, the lighthouse was formally transferred to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners in 1981. However, CIL has a buoy depot nearby and the same attendent manages both facilities. Located on the south (County Kerry) side of the Shannon estuary just north of Tarbert. Site and tower closed, but there are good views from the ferry crossing the Shannon from Tarbert to Killimer. Operator: Limerick Harbour Commissioners. ARLHS IRE-073; Admiralty A6343; NGA 7540. Little Samphire Island 1854. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. Approx. 12 m (40 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery attached to 2-story keeper's house. Tower unpainted; lantern painted white. The station is protected from wave action by a sea wall around three sides. Trabas has a distant view by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. We need information on the history of this station. Located on a small islet at the entrance to Tralee Bay about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Fenit. Site and tower closed, but there are good views from the mainland. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-049; Admiralty A6392; NGA 7584.

Tarbert Island Light, March 2004 Creative Commons photo by Charles W. Glynn

Inishtearaght

1870. Active; focal plane 84 m (275 ft); two white flashes, separated by 4.2 s, every 20 s; light shown by day when visibility is poor. 17 m (56 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery attached to 1-story keeper's house complex. CIL's photo is at the top of this page, Trabas also has a good photo by John Eagle, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. A spectacular site: the lighthouse and keeper's houses are built on ledges cut into a steep rocky pinnacle. The station took six years to build. This is the westernmost lighthouse, not just in Ireland but in all of Europe (Iceland excluded). Its light has a range of 50 km (27 nautical miles). Located on the westernmost of the Blasket Islands, about 22 km (14 mi) southwest of Slea Head, the northern entrance to Dingle Bay. Accessible only by helicopter. Site and tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-044; Admiralty A6408; NGA 7600.

* Dingle Harbour 1885. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); green flash every 3 s. 7 m (24 ft) round cast iron tower. Keeper's house and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. A photo is at right, Trabas has a photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. It's odd that this conspicuous lighthouse is not better known. Located on the east side of the entrance to Dingle Harbour from Dingle Bay, about 3 km (2 mi) off the N86 highway southeast of Dingle. Accessible by hiking path. Operator: Dingle Harbour Commissioners. ARLHS IRE-102; Admiralty A6410; NGA 7604. * Cromwell Point (Fort Point) 1841. Active; focal plane 16 m (53 ft); white flash every 2 s; red flashes are shown over a sector to the southeast. 15 m (49 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. 2-story keeper's house. The light station is built within the walls of a 17th century fort. Entire station, including the walls of the fort, painted white. Trabas has an excellent photo, Pete Amass has a closeup photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. A Millennium grant was obtained in 1999 to restore the keeper's house, and CIL has transferred the house to the Irish Landmark Trust for operation as vacation housing. However, it is not yet open. Located on the east side of Valentia Island about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Knightstown. The island is accessible by bridge and ferry; the lighthouse is accessible by road and a short walk. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-077; Admiralty A6416; NGA 7612.

Dingle Harbour Light, July 2006 Ceative Commons photo by Zoe Bowyer

Skellig Michael (Skelligs) High

1826. Inactive since 1870. Approx. 7 m (24 ft) round stone tower, in poor condition. Lantern removed. Unroofed ruins of a 2-story stone keeper's house. Located high on the slope of the island above the modern lighthouse (next entry). ARLHS IRE-123.

* Skellig Michael (Skelligs) (Low) (2)

1967 (station established 1826). Active; focal plane 53 m (175 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2.5 s, every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical (concrete?) tower attached to a 2-story keeper's house. Entire station painted white. The light station is tucked into a notch in the side of a rocky pinnacle, similar to Inishtearaght Light. Trabas has a photo by John Eagle taken from above the lighthouse, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The Skellings are two small islands about 20 km (12.5 mi) west of Bolus Head. A monastery was established on Skellig Michael in the 6th century. Several tour companies offer boat trips to the Skelligs from Valentia Island; one of them, Sea Quest, has posted the history of the light station. Located on Skellig Michael, the outermost of the islands. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Commissioners of Irish Lights. ARLHS IRE-068; Admiralty A6422; NGA 7624.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted December 2004. Checked and revised December 4, 2008. Lighthouses: 47. Site copyright 2008 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.