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 However with automation in 1947 the keeper was withdrawn and a part time attendant was appointed.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.