Mine Head Lighthouse

Located in Old Parish, County Waterford. This lighthouse was designed by George Halpin Senior, who was a prominent lighthouse builder of his time (considered the founding father of the Irish lighthouse service). Mine Head lighthouse was established on the 1st June 1851 (same day as Ballycotton lighthouse!), and it's looking pretty good to say it's that old. It is a red standstone structure, painted white with a black band (but you can see that right?) While reading up on the history, it was described as a 'four stage lighthouse'...I can assume this means it has 4 levels, including the top level, which would be the lantern. It is said to be Ireland's highest lighthouse! Not to be confused with tallest, it's all to do with sea level and such... being higher above sea level (88m) than any other lighthouse in Ireland. You'd believe it when you see how steep the cliffs are...

Getting there was quite tricky...I'm lucky I had a navigator accompanying me that could help read the map. The roads are many, and we could have turned wrong a few times. We were a little hesitant, but persisted past a farmhouse for about a mile and reached the lighthouse gate (and a few cows). Yes, there's a gate, a tall one. We climbed over, then on leaving, realised it was actually open....

I like Mine Head in particular because it brings together two of my favourite things...lighthouses and beer! Dungarvan Brewing Company produces Irish craft beers, and have Mine Head as their logo (hence why it's my favourite beer to drink out). They have various varieties including stout, red ale, pale ale and a larger and some others. They have one aptly named 'Mine Head', it's an American pale ale, it's pretty tasty! 

  

Cromwell Point Lighthouse (Valentia Island)

Located on Valentia Island, County Kerry, Ireland. A hop, skip and a jump from the Ring of Kerry. We got the ferry over with bikes from Reenard Point, though you can also get across via a bridge from Portmagee. Valentia is far from a bike riders dream...hills and bumpy roads. The long winding road down to the lighthouse (pictured below) was no exception. Riding down was great, riding back up was a slow, painful torture. 

Cromwell Point Lighthouse is maintained by the Commissioner of Irish Lights and is a harbour light to guide vessels from the sea and lead them through the northern entrance of Valentia Harbour, past Harbour Rock.

The site of the lighthouse was originally home to a Cromwell Fleetwood Fort believed to have been built in the 16th century, which was one of two built of Valentia Island around this time.

The first light for Cromwell Point was first applied for in 1828 by the Right Honorary Maurice Fitzgerald (Knight of Kerry!) Work commenced on the lighthouse ten years later in 1838, the light was first exhibited on the 1st February 1941. 

Originally the lighthouse was staffed by a single keeper, housed with his family on site. However with automation in 1947 the keeper was withdrawn and a part time attendant was appointed. 

In  June 2013 the lighthouse was opened to the public (unknown to us), and this is the time we were visiting. We arrived at the gate on our bikes and were shocked to see the gates were open (never the case with lighthouses).  We speedily cycled in, eager to get to the lighthouse, when suddenly we heard shouting behind us...apparently we had to pay in and be part of a tour. I was delighted, as this would lead to a rare opportunity to get inside a lighthouse!

I'd recommend Valentia Island to all, even if you don't make it to the lighthouse. It is also the home to a tetrapod track (footprints from some animal believed to have been created 350 million years ago!). It's of high importance discovery wise as it provides some of the oldest evidence of a water dwelling creature crawling out of the water and making an evolutionary step towards land dwelling. 

Ardnakinna Lighthouse

Located on Bere Island, an Island off the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland. A ferry takes you over to the island from Castletownbere. We rented bikes and brought them onto the ferry, thinking that since we were short on time (2 hours until the last ferry departs) it would be a speedy means of getting to the lighthouse. I actually don't like riding bikes, but when it comes to lighthouses they are handy...BUT, (and it is a big but) we shortly reached a point in our journey that no bike could continue on. We abandoned the bikes and continued on foot. I should really start researching the lighthouses and routes before, not after the expedition.

So given I didn't know how far the lighthouse was, we were walking pretty briskly, while also trying to take in all the stunning scenery! And every time we approached a hill, I filled with excitement and hope that there would be a lighthouse over it (I think Dominika was even excited). That moment came just in time, as we were approaching 'we should probably head back soon' kinda conversations...

OK, so the lighthouse itself...it's big! The tower was originally constructed in 1850 as an unlit beacon to mark the entrance to Castletownbere. It was left in the care of a local man, who remained the caretaker until 1963 when the tower was capped and 'his services dispensed with' (doesn't that sound horrible?).

115 years passed, and there was a lot of talk over whether this beacon would come back to life..finally in 1965 the beacon was converted into a full and almighty lighthouse with the addition of an ex-lightship lantern (see up-cycling has been going on for years already). 

The lighthouse is looked after by an attendant who lives at Castletownbere helicopter base. He is also the attendant for two other lights...cool job (where do I apply?!). He is a messy guy though, this lighthouse junk was in the surrounding area. The lighthouse has recently turned green in that it's removal of the diesal generator and installation of fancy low power LED has made it eco friendly. I'm thinking this junk is what's left from the transition... I looked for something cool to steal, but it really was just junk. 

If your not a lighthousey person, I'd still highly reccomend this walk to the lighthouse. The views from this point are nothing but beautiful, even on a somewhat foggy day. With views across to Sheep's Head and Mizen Head you may even spot some more lighthouses!