Lighthouses

Lighthouses and other navigational aids have been recorded as far back as the 5th century, when the monks of Rinn Dubháin in Co. Wexford (now known as Hook Head) lit a beacon to warn shipping away from dangerous rocks. In 1207, William Marshal ordered the building of a lighthouse here to guide boats up the river to his thriving town of New Ross. He enrolled the monks as the first lighthouse keepers and they remained as custodians for several centuries. Hook Lighthouse is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world. Most lighthouses you see have been built within the last 200 years. The Commissioners of Irish Lights operate over 70 of them and although no longer manned, still play a vital role in maritime safety.

The Bailey Lighthouse, Howth. County Dublin 1814

2024-03-10T17:50:59+00:00

The last lighthouse to be automated in Ireland The Baily Lighthouse is located at the end of a promontory on Howth overlooking Dublin Bay. This is the historic shipping channel between Dublin and [...]

The Bailey Lighthouse, Howth. County Dublin 18142024-03-10T17:50:59+00:00

Dunree Lighthouse, Dunree. County Donegal 1876

2024-02-26T19:06:36+00:00

A light-headed cottage Dunree Lighthouse is located nearly 150-feet above sea level on Dunree Head. It has spectacular views over Lough Swilly across to the Fanad Pennisula and out to the wild north [...]

Dunree Lighthouse, Dunree. County Donegal 18762024-02-26T19:06:36+00:00

Strove Lighthouse, Strove. County Donegal 1837

2023-10-05T16:08:17+00:00

Lighting the Mouth of the Foyle Strove Lighthouse is located on a beautiful blue flag beach where Lough Foyle meets the wild Atlantic in north co. Donegal. This shipping lane has been used [...]

Strove Lighthouse, Strove. County Donegal 18372023-10-05T16:08:17+00:00
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