Article

Lighthouses of Ireland: Sentinels of the Sea Documentary

Lighthouses of Ireland has the stories of ten of the Emerald Isle’s sentinels of the sea before the replacement of keepers by computer automation by 1997.

Lighthouses of Ireland beautify coastlines and save lives The actual and legendary beauty of the Emerald Isle attracts visitors traditionally by sea and, since the twentieth century, by air. Various-sized freight, government, passenger, and private vessels still brave Ireland’s rough coastal waters despite the varying currents and temperatures of: • the Atlantic Ocean on the west; • the Celtic Sea on the south; • the Irish Sea on the east; • Saint George’s Channel on the southeast. Arrival by sea historically and presently can be a choppy, wild ride whose successful transit is made less stressfully and more purposefully by Éire’s vigilant chain of: • coastal bonfires during prehistoric times; • coastal towers during the Roman occupation; • iron cauldrons during the Dark Ages; • lighthouses from the twelfth century onward. ***** Email: info@cil.ie Fax: +353 – 1 – 271 – 5566 Physical address: Commissioners of Irish Lights, Harbour Road, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland Telephone: +353 – 1 – 271 – 5400 Website: http://www.cil.ie *****

1936 rescue of Daunt Rock Lightship by RNLB Mary Stanford is one of most famous rescues in history of Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), largest charity for saving lives at sea around coasts of UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man.

Ballycotton Lifeboat and Daunt Rock Lightship; 1936 oil painting selected as 1974 commemorative stamp for RNLI's 150th anniversary — Bernard Finnigan Gribble, Free Art License (FAL) a9http://artlibre.org/licence/lal/en/), via Wikimedia Commons

Lighthouses of Ireland coordinate with harbor-guarding, light-tower-topped light-vessels

The 100+-minute documentary describes the nine lighthouses of:

Baily, County Dublin;
Ballycotton, County Cork;
Bull & Calf Rocks, County Cork;
Fastnet, County Cork;
Hook Tower, County Wexford;
Maidens, County Antrim;
Roche’s Point, County Cork;
Skelligs, County Kerry;
Tory Island, County Donegal.

It elaborates the Daunt Rock Lightship’s role in County Cork’s documentary sequences. The Daunt finds a place in history through events of 1936 regarding the crew’s experiences in:

avoiding shipwreck on Robert’s rock-riddled Cove;
ensuring light-tower coverage of Cork Harbour;
going without food and sleep seven days during the light-vessel’s accidental unmooring;
transferring to the Ballycotton lighthouse’s lifeboat after five unsuccessful attempts.

All stories get told through:

contemporary filming;
event narration by Michael McCarthy;
historical photographs.

Skellig Michael beehive cells built ca. 6th-8th centuries CE as monastic endeavor lasting until 12th or 13th century; abandoned due to climate and Irish church changes; community relocated to nearby mainland abbey on Iveragh Peninsula at Ballinskelligs

Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig (Irish: Sceilig Mhór), off southwest Ireland coast; Monday, May 3, 2010, 07:55 — Towel401, CC BY SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en), via Wikimedia Commons

Lighthouses of Ireland defend coasts as sea sentinels

Light-keeping experiences highlight eyewitness accounts by:

Anthony Burke, Pauline Butler;
Brendan Carty, John Noel Crowley;
Dick O’ Driscoll, Ronnie O’Driscoll;
Bill Scanlan, Donal O’Sullivan;
Michael Taylor, Tucks Tweedy.

They involve reminiscences of:

busy times at Baily;
dangerous isolation at Fastnet;
hidden room at Hook Tower;
plentiful food at Ballycotton and Roche’s Point;
reticent neighbors on Tory Island;
two towers of Bull & Calf, Maidens, and Skelligs.

They juxtapose traditions of:

fifth- and sixth-century monks building and haunting respectively on Hook and Skelligs;
keeper casualties on treacherous Bull Rock and Skelligs;
keeper and tradesmen survivals for two exposed weeks after the cracking of Calf Rock’s lighthouse;
Lady Nelson and relief vessels sinking respectively off Skelligs and Tory Island.

Hook Lighthouse, Ireland's oldest operating lighthouse, seems to have a hidden room that extrudes from exterior but for which no access, external or internal, has been discovered.

Hook Head headland, County Wexford, South East Ireland — Phil Armitage, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lighthouses of Ireland end up computer-animated by 1997

Lighthouses of Ireland keeps alive seafarer-friendly multi-tasking by Emerald Isle lightkeepers before computer animation in 1997. It leads to super-appreciative kudos for:

Marvin Ayres, Garry Griffiths, George Hinchcliff, Leon Thompson, music/recording;
Amanda Colpoys, assistant/researcher;
Simon Hinshelwood, director/editor/writer;
Irish Lights Commissioners;
Ben Jones, Mark Kingsford, Cyndina York, assistants;
Ari Kopmar, Seth Peyser, executive producers;
Helen Lothian, assistant editor/writer;
Dennis McCardle, researcher;
National Recording Studios Australia director Graham Patrick, editor/graphic designer Craig Dingwall;
Hamish Niven, camera assistant;
John O’Sullivan, Irish Helicopters pilot;
Frank Pelly, advisor;
Jack Phelan;
Miks Sampey, sound;
Ashley Sidaway, editor/writer;
Jeremy Stavenhagen, photography director;
Sophie Tebbit, Steve Tebbit, accountants;
John Thompson, producer;
Clodah Tiemy, manager.

It makes for repeated culturally enriching, educationally entertaining, geo-historically enthralling viewings.

Roche's Point was last stop for RMS Titanic, as Olympic class ocean liner, built in Belfast, picked up passengers boated from Cobh (then Queenstown).

Cobh and Youghal Area, County Cork, South West Ireland; Monday, August 1, 2005, 06:29 — Peter Newbold, CC BY SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en), via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image Credits

1936 rescue of Daunt Rock Lightship by RNLB Mary Stanford is one of most famous rescues in history of Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), largest charity for saving lives at sea around coasts of UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man.
Oil painting by Bernard Finnigan Gribble (1872-1962) depicts rescue of last two of six-men crew on February 11: RNLB crew, away from station for 79 hours and at sea for 49, only had three hours of sleep during their daring, successful rescue!
Ballycotton Lifeboat and Daunt Rock Lightship; 1936 oil painting selected as 1974 commemorative stamp for RNLI's 150th anniversary: Bernard Finnigan Gribble, Free Art License (FAL), via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DauntRescueGribble.png

Skellig Michael beehive cells built ca. 6th-8th centuries CE as monastic endeavor lasting until 12th or 13th century; abandoned due to climate and Irish church changes; community relocated to nearby mainland abbey on Iveragh Peninsula at Ballinskelligs
Skellig Michael (Irish: Sceilig Mhichíl) served as a filming location, with scenes shot July 28-30, 2014, for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (release date: December 18, 2015).
Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig (Irish: Sceilig Mhór), off southwest Ireland coast; Monday, May 3, 2010, 07:55: Towel401, CC BY SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skellig_hives.jpg

Hook Lighthouse, Ireland's oldest operating lighthouse, seems to have a hidden room that extrudes from exterior but for which no access, external or internal, has been discovered.
Hook Head headland, County Wexford, South East Ireland: Phil Armitage, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lighthouse_HookHead_CtyWexford_IRE.jpg

Roche's Point was last stop for RMS Titanic, as Olympic class ocean liner, built in Belfast, picked up passengers boated from Cobh (then Queenstown).
Rationing food between supply boat visits and isolation of offshore sites were not experienced by light keepers and their families on mainland sites such as Roche's Point Lighthouse.
Cobh and Youghal Area, County Cork, South West Ireland; Monday, August 1, 2005, 06:29: Peter Newbold, CC BY SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lighthouse_from_the_Swansea-_Cork_ferry_-_geograph.org.uk_-_71761.jpg

Baily Lighthouse's proximity to Dublin made it a popular assignment for light keepers.
With Ireland's General Lighthouse Authority, Commissioners of Irish Lights (Coimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann ), based in Dublin County, the Baily was logical training assignment for Supernumerary Assistant Keepers (SAK), first step into lighthouse service.
helicopter approach for Baily Lighthouse, southeastern Howth Head peninsula, northeast of Dublin; Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, 16:06: Paul O'Donnell, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baily_Lighthouse.jpg

Sources Consulted

American Home Treasures, Inc. 1997. Lighthouses of Ireland: Sentinels of the Sea. Produced by Western Skies Productions. Distributed by BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Englewood, NJ, U.S.A.: American Home Treasures, Inc.

Baily Lighthouse's proximity to Dublin made it a popular assignment for light keepers.

helicopter approach for Baily Lighthouse, southeastern Howth Head peninsula, northeast of Dublin; Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, 16:06 — Paul O'Donnell, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en), via Wikimedia Commons

the end which is also the beginning — OpenClips, Public Domain, via Pixabay

Lighthouses of Ireland - Sentinels of the Sea: Available in DVD format ~ Available via Amazon

lighthouse products

Fanad Lighthouse Donegal landscape jigsaw puzzle by Ravensburger ~ Amazon's Choice as highly rated, well-priced product for "jigsaw puzzle ireland lighthouse"

Ravensburger Fanad Lighthouse Donegal 200 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults & Kids Age 10 Years Up -...

Fanad Head Lighthouse Portsalon Ireland by PigBangbang Store ~ Available via Amazon

500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle - Fanad Head Lighthouse Portsalon Ireland Nice Painting Handmade Wooden 2...

Me and my purrfectly purrfect Maine coon kittycat, Augusta "Gusty" Sunshine

Updated September 11, 2026

Comments

DerdriuMarrinerSep 27, 2024

My product line accents the Fanad lighthouse even as other puzzles advance other Irish lighthouses.

Are there avid Irish- and other-lighthouse puzzle collectors?

My collection begins with Baily, Fanad, Fastnet, Galleyhead, Hook Head and Poolbeg lighthouses!

DerdriuMarrinerJun 13, 2023

The Lighthouses of Ireland is one of my favorites as film and as DVD.

Some parts of Iceland actually look a bit like the Emerald Isle. I read everything that I can about and by Icelandic author Ragnar Jonasson, who sets some of his mysteries in or near lighthouses.

I never saw or see anything filmed about lighthouses in Iceland. (Perhaps I will have to do that myself ;-D.) But you perhaps would like Icelandic lighthouses as much as or nearly as much as Irish.

WriterArtistJun 13, 2023

I have not seen many lighthouses in the places I have traveled. Perhaps, a travel to Ireland is needed to admire the coastlines and the lighthouses. To travel in this country is in my bucket of list.

frankbeswickNov 1, 2022

Maureen and I were talking a vacation in Donegal near Lough Switched Swilly,some miles from Fanad Head.We drove up to visit it.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 31, 2022

Thank you, Frank, for stopping by!

The lighthouses of Ireland are among my favorites in terms of film and real life!

The Commissioners of Irish Lights website has an article on Fanad Head Lighthouse. The article identifies Fanad Head as one of 12 lighthouses marketed as Great Lighthouses of Ireland. The above-mentioned tourist initiative website mentions the availability of 2-guest house 1, 2-guest house 3 and 2- to 4-guest house 2 weekends in January, February and March; and November and December.

Were you and your wife at Fanad Head for a day visit or a longer stay there or somewhere else in the area?

frankbeswickOct 26, 2022

Maureen and I were up at Fanad Head a few years ago. It is a wild and beautiful place.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 26, 2022

Thank you for visiting, WriterArtist!

Me too, I love the internet-available images that convey the enduring beauty of my favorite Lighthouses of Ireland.

Two of my favorites are Fastnet, known as the teardrop of Ireland because of its being the last sight emigrants had of their beloved emerald-isle home, and Hook, with its mysterious room.

WriterArtistOct 25, 2022

Love the pictures of Lighthouses of Ireland. You sure have put lot of effort in bringing them together. Some of them must be existing till today and they look beautiful from the coast.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 9, 2019

frankbeswick, Guido for any Italian and Paddy for anyone from Ireland can be used affectionately and -- unfortunately -- mildly ironically and outright condescendingly on this side of the pond.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 9, 2019

frankbeswick, Thank you for the insights. Is there any interpretation as to why a form of Welsh was spoken in southwest Scotland? That makes me think, in a reverse way, of Fleance in the Shakespearean play Macbeth leaving Scotland to establish royal family lines after making it to Wales.

frankbeswickMar 8, 2019

The term paddy might be used in a racist sense or not. It can be used affectionately as a nickname or in belittling manner. I was unaware of the usage of the term Guido.

frankbeswickMar 8, 2019

Alfsigr could be Norse, but it could also be Lallands Scots. Lallands and is was a version of Scots closely related to Northern English. The term alfs could be Norse or Anglo-Saxon,although ending a word with r used as a vowel is characteristically Norse. We need to realise that not all Scotland spoke Gaelic, which was the language of the Highlands. Lallands was spoken in south of Scotland and Cumbric, a version of Welsh,in the south West. This means that we need to accept that non-Gaelic etymology is not necessarily an intrusive Norse element, but possibly a native element derived from local languages.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 7, 2019

frankbeswick, Thank you for the information about Paddy's Milestone, nickname for Ailsa Craig. Encyclopedia Britannica online describes Ailsa as originating from Gaelic words for "Fairy Rock." Scottish Girls Names online gives Alfsigr ("elf victory") as the origins in the "language of the Vikings" (Old Norse?). What is the interpretation on your side of the pond?
In another direction, Is "Paddy's milestone" emotion-laden or not? It, just as Guido for an Italian, may be quite insulting on this side of the pond.

frankbeswickMar 6, 2019

Talking of Ireland's teardrop reminds me of its northern counterpart, Paddy's Milestone, Ailsa Craig, a mighty ocean stack not far from Scotland. The ships that took cargo and emigrants from Ireland to Glasgow used Ailsa Craig as the signpost that they were nearing Scotland. The ships that took the rough sea passage from the western Irish port of Ballina would go north past Donegal, through the often stormy waters north of Ireland with migrants sitting on the deck, whatever the weather. Ailsa Craig was a welcome sign that their uncomfortable journey was soon to conclude.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 5, 2019

Veronica, Thank you for appreciating the DVD and my write-up. One of my favorite, most poignant episodes deals with the Fastnet Rock, Ireland's teardrop, as the last view that Irish emigrants had before they could see Ireland no more from the ship's rail.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 5, 2019

frankbeswick, Thank you for the helpful, succinct information, on the precariousness of the approach, that somewhat was conveyed in the DVD. This is one of my favorites so it's on and off the shelf many times throughout the year.

VeronicaMar 2, 2019

This is just a delight … perfect . I am thrilled to read it . Thank you .

frankbeswickMar 2, 2019

Getting to land on Skellig Michael is the difficult part. When the wind is blowing in a certain direction, I think from the east, no boat can land.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 2, 2019

WriterArtist, Thank you for respecting Ireland's built and natural beauty. Do you recognize the beehive cells on Sceilig Mhichíl from their role in Luke Skywalker's comeback in Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens?

WriterArtistMar 1, 2019

Such amazing Light-Houses, Ireland is beautiful with all scenic places and greenery.The pictures speak about it clearly, one of the places I want to visit in my wish-list.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 24, 2015

CruiseReady, That hidden room to the Hook Lighthouse certainly is intriguing, particularly when you consider that the structure was built thanks to William the Marshal (1147 – May 14, 1219), whose conscientiousness, guilelessness, "transparency," and up-frontedness led him to hold onto his job despite the different personalities and styles of four kings -- Henry II (March 5, 1133 – July 6, 1189), Richard I (September 8, 1157 – April 6, 1199), John (December 24, 1166 – October 19, 1216), and Henry III (October 1, 1207 – November 16, 1272) -- during England's Plantagenet years.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 24, 2015

blackspanielgallery, Count on the Emerald Isle to do something that's never been done and to do it well since the Irish historically are known for exquisite coastal buildings, horse-breeding, and textiles from their sites in ancient Asia, through continental Europe, to Ireland. All three activities require imagination and meticulousness, both of which can be seen in the story of The Daunt.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 24, 2015

Veronica, Excellent choice although the Fastnet might need to be fit on anyone's lighthouse tour since its crack will lead it to self-destruct any time soon or late!

CruiseReadyOct 23, 2015

Lighthouses, yes! Interesting tidbit about the secret room of the Hook Lighthouse... wonder what is in there, and why it's there, for that matter???

blackspanielgalleryOct 23, 2015

This is the first time I heard of ships acting as lighthouses.

VeronicaOct 22, 2015

Wonderful post and pictures,

I think to Skellig Michael is a must for my visit to Ireland.

Lighthouses of Ireland coordinate with harbor-guarding, light-tower-topped light-vessels

The 100+-minute documentary describes the nine lighthouses of:

Baily, County Dublin;
Ballycotton, County Cork;
Bull & Calf Rocks, County Cork;
Fastnet, County Cork;
Hook Tower, County Wexford;
Maidens, County Antrim;
Roche’s Point, County Cork;
Skelligs, County Kerry;
Tory Island, County Donegal.

It elaborates the Daunt Rock Lightship’s role in County Cork’s documentary sequences. The Daunt finds a place in history through events of 1936 regarding the crew’s experiences in:

avoiding shipwreck on Robert’s rock-riddled Cove;
ensuring light-tower coverage of Cork Harbour;
going without food and sleep seven days during the light-vessel’s accidental unmooring;
transferring to the Ballycotton lighthouse’s lifeboat after five unsuccessful attempts.

All stories get told through:

contemporary filming;
event narration by Michael McCarthy;
historical photographs.

Lighthouses of Ireland defend coasts as sea sentinels

Light-keeping experiences highlight eyewitness accounts by:

Anthony Burke, Pauline Butler;
Brendan Carty, John Noel Crowley;
Dick O’ Driscoll, Ronnie O’Driscoll;
Bill Scanlan, Donal O’Sullivan;
Michael Taylor, Tucks Tweedy.

They involve reminiscences of:

busy times at Baily;
dangerous isolation at Fastnet;
hidden room at Hook Tower;
plentiful food at Ballycotton and Roche’s Point;
reticent neighbors on Tory Island;
two towers of Bull & Calf, Maidens, and Skelligs.

They juxtapose traditions of:

fifth- and sixth-century monks building and haunting respectively on Hook and Skelligs;
keeper casualties on treacherous Bull Rock and Skelligs;
keeper and tradesmen survivals for two exposed weeks after the cracking of Calf Rock’s lighthouse;
Lady Nelson and relief vessels sinking respectively off Skelligs and Tory Island.

Lighthouses of Ireland end up computer-animated by 1997

Lighthouses of Ireland keeps alive seafarer-friendly multi-tasking by Emerald Isle lightkeepers before computer animation in 1997. It leads to super-appreciative kudos for:

Marvin Ayres, Garry Griffiths, George Hinchcliff, Leon Thompson, music/recording;
Amanda Colpoys, assistant/researcher;
Simon Hinshelwood, director/editor/writer;
Irish Lights Commissioners;
Ben Jones, Mark Kingsford, Cyndina York, assistants;
Ari Kopmar, Seth Peyser, executive producers;
Helen Lothian, assistant editor/writer;
Dennis McCardle, researcher;
National Recording Studios Australia director Graham Patrick, editor/graphic designer Craig Dingwall;
Hamish Niven, camera assistant;
John O’Sullivan, Irish Helicopters pilot;
Frank Pelly, advisor;
Jack Phelan;
Miks Sampey, sound;
Ashley Sidaway, editor/writer;
Jeremy Stavenhagen, photography director;
Sophie Tebbit, Steve Tebbit, accountants;
John Thompson, producer;
Clodah Tiemy, manager.

It makes for repeated culturally enriching, educationally entertaining, geo-historically enthralling viewings.

Image Credits

Comments

DerdriuMarrinerSep 27, 2024

DerdriuMarrinerJun 13, 2023

WriterArtistJun 13, 2023

I have not seen many lighthouses in the places I have traveled. Perhaps, a travel to Ireland is needed to admire the coastlines and the lighthouses. To travel in this country is in my bucket of list.

frankbeswickNov 1, 2022

Maureen and I were talking a vacation in Donegal near Lough Switched Swilly,some miles from Fanad Head.We drove up to visit it.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 31, 2022

frankbeswickOct 26, 2022

Maureen and I were up at Fanad Head a few years ago. It is a wild and beautiful place.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 26, 2022

WriterArtistOct 25, 2022

Love the pictures of Lighthouses of Ireland. You sure have put lot of effort in bringing them together. Some of them must be existing till today and they look beautiful from the coast.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 9, 2019

frankbeswick, Guido for any Italian and Paddy for anyone from Ireland can be used affectionately and -- unfortunately -- mildly ironically and outright condescendingly on this side of the pond.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 9, 2019

frankbeswickMar 8, 2019

The term paddy might be used in a racist sense or not. It can be used affectionately as a nickname or in belittling manner. I was unaware of the usage of the term Guido.

frankbeswickMar 8, 2019

DerdriuMarrinerMar 7, 2019

frankbeswickMar 6, 2019

DerdriuMarrinerMar 5, 2019

VeronicaMar 2, 2019

This is just a delight … perfect . I am thrilled to read it . Thank you .

frankbeswickMar 2, 2019

Getting to land on Skellig Michael is the difficult part. When the wind is blowing in a certain direction, I think from the east, no boat can land.

DerdriuMarrinerMar 2, 2019

WriterArtistMar 1, 2019

Such amazing Light-Houses, Ireland is beautiful with all scenic places and greenery.The pictures speak about it clearly, one of the places I want to visit in my wish-list.

DerdriuMarrinerOct 24, 2015

Veronica, Excellent choice although the Fastnet might need to be fit on anyone's lighthouse tour since its crack will lead it to self-destruct any time soon or late!

CruiseReadyOct 23, 2015

Lighthouses, yes! Interesting tidbit about the secret room of the Hook Lighthouse... wonder what is in there, and why it's there, for that matter???

blackspanielgalleryOct 23, 2015

This is the first time I heard of ships acting as lighthouses.

VeronicaOct 22, 2015

Wonderful post and pictures,

I think to Skellig Michael is a must for my visit to Ireland.