Spitbank Lighthouse

Located in Cork harbour, to mark a shallow bank. The nearest town is Cobh. It’s very easy to visit with a local “Cork Self-Drive Boat Tour” that leaves from Cobh town. You will follow a tour guide in a small powerboat, and Spitbank is part of the tour. There’s a stop off at Spitbank where you’ll be given a brief history of its construction. 

The lighthouse was designed by George Halpin (no surprises there!) George Halpin designed 50 lighthouses around the coast of the island of Ireland. George Halpin did not design the spider-like structure it sits on though. The screw pile. 

A screw pile is a structure that stands on piles that are screwed into sandy or muddy sea beds. Irish engineer Alexander Mitchell (born 1780) invented the screw pile design. He was born in Dublin, and moved to Belfast as a child. In his early 20’s, Alexander became blind, but this didn’t hamper his designs. He specialised in structures designed to stand in mudbanks and shifting sands, such as bridges, piers and screw pile lighthouses. He moved to Cobh in 1851 for the installation of the Spitbank screw pile. 

(Image credit: History Ireland)

The lighthouse was first lit in 1853. As you can see, there was no room to accommodate keepers at this lighthouse. It was managed and maintained by keepers that lived locally, in Cobh. It was renovated in 2013. It really is worth a trip out to see this structure, and sure that boats are great craic! 

Tory Island Lighthouse

Located on Tory Island (never imagined I’d like anything Tory related!) 14.5km off the north west coast of Donegal, Ireland. The word Tory comes from the Middle Irish word Tóraidhe, which means bandit (how apt!) 

A 45 minute ferry from mainland Donegal will get you to the most remote (inhabited) island of Ireland. It really feels like stepping back in time - words simply can’t describe it! Neolithic farmers colonised this island several thousand years ago, and though very little trace of that period remains, it is said that the perimeter wall surrounding the lighthouse is built from stone from the only remaining building of that era. 

Old fellas greeting all walking by from their modest house doorways, wildflowers, birds - I was in heaven! I very much hope it remains this way - so many of the islands of island have become major tourist attractions. 

Number one stop was of course the lighthouse. The island is very small, 5km long and 1km wide, so plenty of time to explore - but lots to see! 

You see the lighthouse long before you get to it. Of course the gates were locked (and very high) and the wall was also well over 6ft. I opted to jump the wall (with assistance) only to discover the wall on the other side was completely knocked down and the gate wide open! 

The lighthouse was requested by the Harbour Commissioners and merchants of Sligo in April 1828. Approval for the project was granted in November of the same year. The tower and buildings were designed by George Halpin, a prominent lighthouse engineer of that time, and the buildings are very much of his style. 

The lighthouse was established on 1st August 1832. The tower is 27 metres  high and the light is 40 meters above sea level. In 1972 the light was electrified. In 1990 it was automated and the keepers withdrawn from the station. 

For all those that ask me from now on which lighthouse is my favourite, it will be Tory. But mostly because the island is just beautiful. I can’t imagine ever getting bored on this island. 

Rotten Island Lighthouse

Rotten Island lighthouse, Killybegs Harbour, County Donegal. What a name to give a lovely quiet island -there’s nothing rotten about it! It is a harbour light that guides passage from nearby St Johns Point to Killybegs Harbour. 

Once again, the lighthouse and dwellings were designed by George Halpin (prominent lighthouse engineer) who also designed nearby St Johns Point lighthouse (30 minute drive away and handy wild camping spot) it was established in 1838. Built with cut granite, it was painted white on completion. Tragically, three workers drowned during construction when their boat capsized returning to the mainland. I’ve heard it was common for fisherman to not be able to swim, allowing the inevitable to happen sooner rather than later should they end up in the water. I wonder was it a similar case for those working on lighthouse construction. 

Lighthouse keepers were withdrawn from the station in 1959. The light itself underwent several changes, but only considered an adequate light when it was converted to electric in 1963. 

Like most other small-island stations around with no one living on them, it has an attendant on the mainland. It’s a lovely walk along the cliffs, accessed via a small rocky beach. 

Inisheer Lighthouse

Located on one of the three Aran Islands, Co Galway, Ireland. Inis Oirr (Inisheer) the closest of the three islands is accessible by boat from Doolin (shout out to the Rainbow Hostel!)  A short trip of 30 minutes (felt like a  lifetime) 

Actually, the most memorable moment about this journey was the boat trip. As with many of my lighthouse journeys at the time, bicycle was the chosen transport; However a boat needed to take us to the island. Unfortunately for me, the sea was rough and I fell very ill very quickly. I'm not proud to say I got sick and (considerately may I add) leaned over the side of the boat. What I wasn't expecting (and wasn't even aware was happening at the time) was that the wind took what I expelled and carried it directly on to a young boy standing a few feet away from me. Much to the amusement of his team mates (they were going to the island for a football match) I felt like death coming off the boat. With my head down in shame, I managed to stumble into the nearest pub, and ordered a Sprite. If my memory serves me right some guy at the bar was coming onto me with some horrendous lines. I mumbled something about having puke in my hair and wandered off to collapse in the grass...and he still persisted! Facing a hilly bike ride I started to think we were never going to get to the lighthouse. After about 30 minutes face down in the grass (valuable time lost as the last ferry was leaving shortly) we ventured off. I can't remember much about the ride, the scenery was probably lovely?

The lighthouse came into view finally! A two mile (hilly!) journey from the pier.  As with most lighthouses there was a gate and keep out signs. The gates were far too high to climb, even for me. We climbed a total of four walls to get into the lighthouse, settled ourselves and prepared to picnic. A short while later, a father and son arrived at the gate. I started to walk towards them to explain the complicated wall climbing entry, when the father just opened the gate and they walked in! 

So, the lighthouse! Cool looking isn’t it? The houses and the tower were designed and constructed by George Halpin. They were built from local (and very hard!) chrystaline rock. The first of the three Aran Islands to get a lighthouse was Inishmore. I feel like I write this in every blog post... but the bloody tower was built too high, and the light was often masked by the fog! So, requests were made to build on the other two islands. And there was a bit of fighting about which one (isn’t there always!) and it was finally agreed that both Inisheer and Ereagh would have lighthouses built and establish at the same time December 1857) 

Fastnet Rock Lighthouse

Located 6km from Cape Clear Island, Co Cork, Ireland. 

There are actually two rocks at Fastnet; Fastnet Rock, and Little Fastnet (what, how cute!) They are separated by a thirty-foot-wide channel. 

There have been two lighthouses built on Fastnet Rock over the years. The decision to build the first one, in 1848, was taken after a wreck of the American ship ‘Stephen Whitney’ in the area, with a loss of 100 lives. 

The new lighthouse on Fastnet would replace the lighthouse of Cape Clear Island. This lighthouse was proven to be too far inshore, and too high (which appears to be a common problem with lighthouse building!) The light would be obscured in foggy conditions. 

Authorities commissioned George Halpin Sr (famous lighthouse head/engineer/builder) to design the new structure. He used cast iron, which was also used to build neighboring lighthouse Calf Rock. Work was finished on the oil burning lighthouse in 1854, soon after which Halpin died. 

In 1881, Calf Rock lighthouse came to an untimely end (it snapped!) in a storm. The lighthouse of Fastnet also had damage to its lantern that night. Officials realised that the lighthouse couldn’t much longer withstand the steady onslaught of the Atlantic Ocean, especially given that it was positioned on the most exposed portion of the rock (the top) A decision was made to start work on a new masonry lighthouse on the lower western part of the rock. 

Construction of the new lighthouse started in 1897, its designer, a Mr William Douglass. It was built under supervision of James Kavanagh, the foreman mason. He hardly saw the shore in the years of its construction, and he sadly died before work was complete. 

The tower is built from 2,047 Cornish granite, dovetailed blocks. It was established in 1904 at a total cost of £90,000. Doesn’t it have a wonderful taper!? The first floor of the original lighthouse can still be seen (black stump at top of the rock) It is used for storage. 

We took a boat tour around the rock. Ferries leave from Baltimore and Schull, and are run by Cape Clear Ferries. 

They include a stop off at Cape Clear Island. There’s a museum about Fastnet, not that we visited it. We decided instead to take a bimble to the top of the island, to visit the old lighthouse of Cape Clear. I packed sandwiches and snacks (ever prepared) We took an opportunity to stop for the picnic at a very pictureqsue spot, where Fastnet was clearly in view. Chowing down I start to realise we weren’t alone on our picnic. TICKS, everywhere! We walked (ran) back down to the pub for pints and a good brush down. Horrid Lyme disease carrying hell bugs. 

Work was being carried out on Fastnet. Scaffolding was up around the lantern. I can best assume that this is work on changing the mercury-driven lights to energy efficient LED lights. Something that has been met with varying differences of opinion. Some say that this takes away some historical value from the lighthouse. I would have to agree. There’s something wonderful about seeing that light seeep across the ocean at night. 

Broadhaven Lighthouse

Located at Gubbacashal Point, on the Mullet Peninsula, County Mayo. This lighthouse stands tall (as does the gate!) at 27 metres. The gate, and no entry signage didn't discourage us though - we even managed to haul a tent and provisions over that gate! Where there's a will! 

Broadhaven is a harbour light. It's purpose; to guide vessels from sea, clear of a sunken rock (sounds pretty dangerous in fairness) on the western side of Broadhaven to a safe anchorage. It was originally meant to be a beacon tower, not a fully fledged lighthouse, as the Lighthouse Board didn't want to be spending too much time or money, as usual! However, pressure from the locals, with support from George Halpin (prominent lighthouse builder) saw it transformed from a beacon to a lighthouse, by the erection of a lantern to the original built beacon tower. Of course this all took a long time, and there was a lot of 'putting it on the long finger'. The lighthouse was established in 1855, twelve years after a lighthouse was first requested for Broadhaven. Back then it was displaying its natural stone grey colour. 

The keepers dwellings have sadly fallen into disrepair. Which is such a shame, as it's hard for me to imagine a more tranquil spot. We took shelter in our tent close to the wall, that surrounds the lighthouse grounds. The land here is quite exposed, and blustery! We were happy to have the wall I can tell you. The light shone through the night, and into day break. This lighthouse isn't manned of course - I wouldn't be trespassing otherwise! The lighthouse keepers were withdrawn in 1931. Improvements to the light, and a good coating of white paint were also done at this time. 

One last thing - the MULLET peninsula? Lads, I couldn't stop laughing...

Blacksod Lighthouse

On the southeast corner of the Mullet Peninsula (perhaps the most hilariously named peninsula in Ireland?) in County Mayo on Ireland’s west coast stands Blacksod lighthouse. A short, two storey building with a square tower, which is quite unusual for a lighthouse tower. 

Built in 1865 with locally quarried reddish-grey granite. Over the years, this granite was shipped all over the world. The lighthouse began operating in 1866 to make Blacksod Bay safer for mariners. The structure also served as a post office from 1969-1972, while a new building was being built, becoming (quite possibly) the only Irish-lighthouse-turned-post-office! 

Myself and my brother had been camping at Broadhaven lighthouse the night before, and drove down to Blacksod around 730am after a very, very wet and windy night in the tent! The sun was shining, and to our delight the door to the lighthouse building was open. Not one to miss an opportunity to step inside a lighthouse - I knocked loudly on the open door. Two men came to the door and I very confidently asked if we could come in! They were part of a maintenance team, and one man explained he has family ties to the lighthouse: The Sweeny family. His dad had been a keeper there for many years. They invited us in and took us up the tower and spoke about the history of the lighthouse. We were so grateful, and exhausted I’m not sure I even explained I have a blog. 

Probably the most popular Blacksod lighthouse story, and one that was shared with us that day, is the story of the Blacksod lighthouse keeper that gave the weather forecast, that enabled General Eisenhower to make a decision to land Allied forces in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6th 1944. Meteorologists had predicted a week of bad weather for France at the beginning of June. The Germans believed this forecast and Field Marshall Rommel left the front lines in France to visit his family in Germany. The lighthouse keeper at Blacksod lighthouse predicted a mid-week break in the weather and Eisenhower acted on the prediction. This demonstrates the important job lighthouse keepers held at the time in recording accurate weather reports on a daily basis. 

The lighthouse was automated in 1999, and now also serves as a helicopter base for nearby lighthouses Blackrock and Eagle Island.