The Baily Lighthouse, Howth, County Dublin

The first lighthouse on this site was built in about 1667 by Sir Robert Reading, and was one of six that Reading had received letters patent to build from Charles II in 1665. The original facility consisted of a small cottage and a square tower which supported a coal-fired beacon. Parts of the original buildings remain.

In late 1996, the lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and the last of the Keepers left on March 24, 1997, making Baily the last Irish lighthouse to go automatic.

This is one of just over sixty coastal lighthouses and many more harbour and estuary lights I've illustrated. I'll be posting them up each day.
The A2 poster of 16 of the most iconic lighthouses is up and ready to ship. If you're interested in a particular lighthouse they're available in A4 or A3 size.
www.irelandposters.ie

New project- Lighthouses

Ive been undertaking an exciting new project recently: Documenting the dramatic and spectacular lighthouses that dot our coast. 

It's been an interesting journey literally and figuratively. There are just over sixty coastal lighthouses and dozens more harbour and estuary lights. ( I didn't include anything that doesn't at least look something like a  lighthouse - new lights tend to be an LED array on a tall pole).

I'll post up the pics over the coming weeks.

First up is Fastnet Rock on Mizen head.

Fastnet (possibly from Old Norse Hvasstann-ey, meaning "sharp-tooth isle" or called Carraig Aonair, meaning "lonely rock", in Irish) was begun in 1853. The new lighthouse was constructed of cast iron with an inner lining of brick. It had an oil burning lamp of 38 kilocandelas; in contrast modern lighthouses typically produce 1,300 kilocandelas.

The tower proved to be too weak, since gales shook it to the point that crockery was sometimes thrown off tables. A new lighthouse was designed and construction started in 1897 with the levelling of the site and the laying of 4,300 tons of granite blocks. The new lighthouse entered service on 27 June 1904.

In 1985, the lighthouse was struck by a rogue wave measuring about 157 feet (48 m) in height.

This is one of just over sixty coastal lighthouses and many more harbour and estuary lights I've illustrated. I'll be posting them up each day.
The A2 poster of 16 of the most iconic lighthouses is up and ready to ship. If you're interested in a particular lighthouse they're available in A4 or A3 size. 

www.irelandposters.ie