- Inishtrahull lighthouse
Inishtrahull Lighthouse is the northerly most
lighthouse inIreland located on theInishtrahull Island off the coast ofCounty Donegal . Coupled with the lighthouse onTory Island they form the two main landfall lights for shipping from theAtlantic 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 toRoyal Navy ships usingLough 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
17th March 1813 . The height of the tower was approx. 12.8 meters. Later adioptric apparatus was installed in the tower and came into operation on29th September 1864 .At the start of the 20th century it was decided that a
fog signal was required in the area ofMalin 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 theCommissioners 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
8th 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 tosolar power on the20th September 2000 .The station became unmanned at 1200 hours on the
30th April 1987 .The fog signal was discontinued the following day.ee also
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Lighthouses in Ireland References
* http://cil2.adnet.ie/index.php3?LighthouseID=39
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