Inishtrahull lighthouse
Encyclopedia
Inishtrahull Lighthouse is the northerly most lighthouse
in Ireland
located on the Inishtrahull Island
off the coast of County Donegal
. Coupled with the lighthouse on Tory Island
they form the two main landfall lights for shipping from the Atlantic rounding the north coast of Ireland, and navigation to local shipping. Work on the first lighthouse, situated at the east end of the island began in 1812, primarily due to Royal Navy
ships using Lough Foyle
.
Designs for the lighthouse where drawn up by a George Halpin
, a Senior Inspector of Lighthouses. Acting on behalf of the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin.
The first Light was established on the 17 March 1813. The height of the tower was approx. 12.8 meters. Later a dioptric apparatus was installed in the tower and came into operation on 29 September 1864.
At the start of the 20th century it was decided that a fog signal was required in the area of Malin Head
. It was decided that it would be constructed at the west end of the island and came in to operation in 1905. There were, therefore, two separate establishments on the island. In 1952 the Commissioners of Irish Lights
decided to update the fog signal the lighthouse. It was decided that the best way to do so would be to build a new lighthouse beside the fog signal station at the west end of the island and to discontinue the lighthouse at the east end.
The existing lighthouse was completed and began service on the 8 October 1958. It is 23 meters tall to the balcony, and has a Lantern of 19 feet tall.
In 1987, the 1958 optic had to be replaced to comply with the recommendations of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
for automation. Optic replacement and automation where completed in March of that year. The station was then converted to solar power
on the 20 September 2000.
The station became unmanned at 1200 hours on the 30 April 1987.
The fog signal was discontinued the following day.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
located on the Inishtrahull Island
Inishtrahull Island
Inishtrahull is located approx north-east of Malin Head, Inishowen, County Donegal. It is the most northerly island of Ireland. The most northerly landfall of Ireland, the Tor Beg rock is located another one kilometer to the North West of Inishtrahull. Inishtrahull has an area of...
off the coast of County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Coupled with the lighthouse on Tory Island
Tory Island
Toraigh is an inhabited island 14.5 km off the northwest coast of County Donegal, Ireland. It is also known in Irish as Oileán Thoraigh, Oileán Thoraí or Oileán Thúr Rí.-Language:The main spoken language on the island is Irish, but English is also understood...
they form the two main landfall lights for shipping from the Atlantic rounding the north coast of Ireland, and navigation to local shipping. Work on the first lighthouse, situated at the east end of the island began in 1812, primarily due to Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
ships using Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle, sometimes Loch Foyle , is the estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster. It starts where the Foyle leaves Derry. It separates the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.-Transport:...
.
Designs for the lighthouse where drawn up by a George Halpin
George Halpin
George Halpin , was a prominent civil engineer and lighthouse builder, responsible for the construction of much of the Port of Dublin, several of Dublin's bridges, and a number of lighthouses; he is considered the founding father of the Irish lighthouse service...
, a Senior Inspector of Lighthouses. Acting on behalf of the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin.
The first Light was established on the 17 March 1813. The height of the tower was approx. 12.8 meters. Later a dioptric apparatus was installed in the tower and came into operation on 29 September 1864.
At the start of the 20th century it was decided that a fog signal was required in the area of Malin Head
Malin Head
Malin Head , on the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, is usually given as the most northerly headland of the mainland of Ireland . In fact, the most northerly point is actually a headland named Banba's Crown on the Inishowen Peninsula about 2 km to the northeast...
. It was decided that it would be constructed at the west end of the island and came in to operation in 1905. There were, therefore, two separate establishments on the island. In 1952 the Commissioners of Irish Lights
Commissioners of Irish Lights
The Commissioners of Irish Lights is the body that serves as the lighthouse authority for Ireland plus its adjacent seas and islands...
decided to update the fog signal the lighthouse. It was decided that the best way to do so would be to build a new lighthouse beside the fog signal station at the west end of the island and to discontinue the lighthouse at the east end.
The existing lighthouse was completed and began service on the 8 October 1958. It is 23 meters tall to the balcony, and has a Lantern of 19 feet tall.
In 1987, the 1958 optic had to be replaced to comply with the recommendations of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities is a non-profit organization founded in 1957 to collect and provide nautical expertise and advice.-Background:...
for automation. Optic replacement and automation where completed in March of that year. The station was then converted to solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
on the 20 September 2000.
The station became unmanned at 1200 hours on the 30 April 1987.
The fog signal was discontinued the following day.