Galley Head Lighthouse

Freestanding three-stage lighthouse, built 1878, surmounted by two-tier domed metal plate lantern. L-plan multiple-bay corridor to side (west) running north-south to attached light keepers house and former gas works. Balcony to upper stage of tower with cast-iron railings. Metal plate walls with glazed panels to seaward side to lantern with metal dome surmounted by finial. Cast-iron footplates between upper tiers of lantern. Single-pitched slate roof to corridor block having rendered parapet to rear (south, west) sides. Tooled limestone walls with chamfered limestone plinth to lighthouse, painted brick walls to corridor having rendered walls to rear (south, west) elevations. Square-headed window openings with tooled limestone sills throughout, having three-over-three pane timber sliding sash windows to lighthouse. Tooled limestone block-and-start surrounds with chamfered reveals to corridor, having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed door openings throughout, having tooled limestone block-and-start surround, limestone stepped approach and replacement battened timber door to lighthouse opening. Rendered stepped approaches and battened timber doors to corridor block openings. Complex of associated structures including light keepers house, gas works and gas technicians house. Enclosed by dressed rubble stone wall with recent concrete gate piers to north.

Designed in 1878 by Mr. J. S. Sloane, Engineer-in-Chief of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the lighthouse is a prominent landmark from both sea and land. It has maintained its historic character through the retention of key features including its substantial lantern with its fine cast-iron parapet railings and finial. Other features of interest include its sash windows, a fine tooled stone plinth and decorative cornice. The lighthouse is part of a large complex of related structures including an impressive corridor block, gas works and accommodation for the light keepers and gas works supervisor.