One of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world

Fanad Head Lighthouse is located at the mouth of Lough Swilly on one of the wildest and most dramatic headlands in Ireland. The landscape has been shaped by ice sheets and glaciers as recently as 14,000 and the waters around here are regularly visited by whales, porpoises, and dolphins. There is also evidence of human occupation for at least 5500 years and the area is dotted with Iron Age ring forts. It has been ruled by various clans including the Cenel Conail, the Cenal Eoin, the O’Breslins, the O’Donnells, the Mac Sweeneys, and more recently the Knox family. Around 30% of the local population of 700 people still speak Irish as their first language. The area has a rich and often tragic maritime history including the incident when the SS Laurentic hit two mines just off the coast in 1917 losing over 300 souls. Her secret cargo of 3,211 gold bars worth over €410 million in today’s money was also lost. It’s also worth noting that 22 of those gold bars are still missing! Fanad has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world.