The Ardnakinna Lighthouse, is an active aid to navigation located on Bere Island, County Cork at the western entrance to Castletownbere.

Ardnakinna Lighthouse
Map
LocationBere Island
Coordinates51°37′1.8″N 9°55′4.8″W / 51.617167°N 9.918000°W / 51.617167; -9.918000
Tower
Constructed1850
ShapeCircular
Light
First lit1965

History

edit

The light, which provides navigation aid on the western entrance to Castletownberehaven, originated as a freestanding circular beacon, recommended in 1847, erected in 1850, and capped in 1863. The beacon was transferred to the Admiralty in 1902, and was discontinued in 1923.

An incident with a trawler in 1945 contributed to the requests for navigation lights in 1948, and a positive recommendation in 1955, but it was only in 1964 that the Minister of Transport gave approval in principle. The old beacon was agreed to be a suitable location, and as it already had a tower form, it required only a lighting device, and one was secured from a lightship. The 1500W lantern has mains and diesel-generator power. The light was formally turned on 23 November 1965 and is looked after, along with two other lights, by an attendant at the Castletownbere helicopter base.[1][2][3]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Lights, Commissioners of Irish. "Ardnakinna Lighthouse". www.irishlights.ie.
  2. ^ "Ardnakinna Lighthouse, Bere Island, DERRYCREEVEEN, CORK". Buildings of Ireland.
  3. ^ Team, Afloat ie. "New Light Unveiled at Landmark Ardnakinn Lighthouse on Bere Island, County Cork". afloat.ie.