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!
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