Located within Charles Fort, Kinsale, County Cork. This is my most frequented lighthouse as it is the shortest distance from my front door than any other lighthouse (at the moment) Just a 30 minute drive.
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| Photo by Rory Bhandari |
It functions as a directional light, marking the way to safe anchorage close to Kinsale. In 1665 King Charles II gave permission for six lighthouses on the coast of Ireland to be erected. This location being one of them (which back then would have been Barry Oge's castle, later to become Charles Fort).The original structure would have had a coal fire on its roof (in which case the term 'firehouse' seems more appropriate than lighthouse?) The current structure was built as a replacement in 1929, which makes it much younger than other lighthouses on this coast, most of which date back to the 19th century.
It was converted to mains power in 2004 marking the end of a long era of gas and oil powered lighthouses in Ireland.
I like this lighthouse, mostly because you can climb it (strictly speaking you shouldn't, but you can't really be seen once you're up there). The view is amazing and you can swing your legs off the side and look out towards the Old Head.
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A flask is recommended too!
