Roches Point Lighthouse

Located at the entrance to Cork harbour Ireland. This was my first glance at the lighthouse from a telescope in Crosshaven. It would be another 2 years before I got to it up close...

I did consider swimming over...

So there's a bit of a background story to this lighthouse, let me explain it as briefly as I can....There was a want for a lighthouse here in 1813 as it was noted that vessels entering Cork harbour were in danger. It was agreed by the relevant authorities to build a lighthouse here (or plonk a lantern on an already existing tower as was their original plan). However, the land and existing tower were owned privately by a Mr Edward Roche (a character you'll either hate or feel sorry for...) Mr Roche wasn't living in Cork at this time, his exact whereabouts a little shady. Finally Mr Roche's agent informed the authorities that he was residing in Naples, Italy as a prisoner of war and would be home (as soon as possible...). With that, the authorities twiddled their thumbs and awaited his return. They couldn't purchase or rent his land without his knowledge. Finally some political activity of some description set him free and he returned to Cork in 1815, and he wasn't happy to hear of all this lighthouse malarky. He wrote a letter stating that the tower had been built by him and his father as a 'banqueting and pleasure house' (wouldn't we all like one of those?!) and that he had spent a lot of monies to make it all very fancy. He also noted that during the American War of Independence (1776-83) it was rented out to the Government (against his desires) as it was deemed absolutely necessary for the defense of the harbor (starting to feel this chap has his tower in the wrong place at the wrong time too often) The Government paid him handsomely at 100 guineas per year for 10 years. Roche stated that if he had to give up his pleasure tower again, he would want the same terms. The authorities gave a quick reply (a big fat no) and informed him that as they required a lease long term (forever) they would want it very cheap or they would go ahead have the land valued and pay him this amount regardless of his wishes (and they had Law behind them). Needless to say he was very upset...he fought them all the way, and although he delayed them (how many ships wrecked in this time I wonder?) an inquisition was held in Cobh and the tower and land was purchased in 1816 from him for £1426. 

After all that they knocked the pleasure tower down! They decided to build a tower from scratch along with lighthouse cottages. The lighthouse was established and in working order in 1817. Of course they didn't build it big enough, and in 1835 it was knocked down and it's replacement, the current tower, was built. In 1995 it was converted to automatic and the keepers removed from the station. The lighthouse cottages are available to rent (kinda pricey but how lovely!)

We travelled there on bikes from Cork City (I know crazy). We cheated by getting in the train to Midleton with bikes and rode from there. The ride was horrible in that my bike was unsuitable for all the up and down hills, and as per usual I complained most of the way (it was really hilly!) Once you get over all the hills you hit the sea and its all good from there.

Of course the views made up for all the complaining from the ride. 

An observation; a lot of lighthouses have cows close by