DDiscover AloneMapAbout

Inishtrahull Lighthouse, County Donegal (40900215)

Lighthouse, lighthouse keeper's house
Inishtrahull Lighthouse
Photo: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage · Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Remains of former lighthouse (on circular-plan), built 1812. Now out of use with lantern and part of top of tower removed c. 1959 following construction of new lighthouse to the west end of Inishtrahull. Constructed of local rubble stone construction, formerly rendered. Square-headed openings, fittings now removed.…

Read the whole record
Remains of former lighthouse (on circular-plan), built 1812. Now out of use with lantern and part of top of tower removed c. 1959 following construction of new lighthouse to the west end of Inishtrahull. Constructed of local rubble stone construction, formerly rendered. Square-headed openings, fittings now removed. Remains of collection of single-storey former lighthouse keeper’s houses, built c. 1900, and ancillary structures to the west of remains of lighthouse having flat-roofs, rendered walls and square-headed openings. Rubble stone walls to site, including boundary wall enclosing large rectangular site to the west of former lighthouse. Former island cemetery\burial ground adjacent to the east. Located on an elevated site on the summit of a hillock to the east end of Inishtrahull, and about 5 miles to the north of Malin Head.
This former lighthouse and associated structures is an integral element of the extensive maritime heritage of County Donegal. The lighthouse was originally built to designs by George Halpin (1779 - 1854), a Senior Inspector of Lighthouses, acting on behalf of the ‘Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin’ (the Ballast Board). Halpin designed and\or supervised the construction of many lighthouses throughout Ireland, including those on Tory Island, Fanad Head, St. John’s Point (see 40909717), Inishowen, Rathlin O'Birne (see 40908904), and at Rotten Island (see 40909716), near Killybegs, in County Donegal. This lighthouse on Inishtrahull originally had a faceted glass lantern, and a metal platform with around the base of the lantern (both added in 1863 – 4, manufactured by Messrs Edmundson of Dublin) supported on stone corbels – it was similar in appearance to the lighthouse at St. John’s Point (see 40909717), a structure designed by George Halpin and built between 1829 – 31. Work on this lighthouse on Inishtrahull started in 1812, and it was established on the request of the Royal Navy as an aid to navy shipping using Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. The first Light was established on the 17th March 1813. The height of the tower was approx. 12.8 meters. Later a dioptric apparatus was installed in the tower and came into operation on 29 September 1864 (by Messrs Chance of Birmingham). This lighthouse was decommissioned in 1958 following the construction of the new lighthouse (see 40902***) to the west end of Inishtrahull. The lantern and the upper sections of the tower itself were removed in 1959 after it was discovered that the light from the new lighthouse was partially obscured by the old tower. The now ruinous collection of single-storey former lighthouse keepers’ houses and associated ancillary dwellings survive in relatively good condition, despite a long period of disuse. These buildings are very similar in form to those still in use at a number of lighthouse locations around Ireland. They were probably built around 1900. Set in an elevated site on the exposed and isolated island of Inishtrahull, this lighthouse and associated structures acts as a monument to the skill and dedication of those involved in its initial construction, and who worked here from the early-nineteenth century until the mid-twentieth century, and is an addition to the built heritage of County Donegal.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40900215

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.

Official building number
40900215
What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

What you write will be public.

Places near here

Photo credits
  • Andreas F. Borchert, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Dr Neil Clifton, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • David Dixon, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • David Dixon, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Kenneth Allen, Geograph Ireland via Wikimedia Commons
  • Dr Neil Clifton, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • N Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • N Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
InishtrahullIsland · 409 yd

Explorer Tom Inishtrahull got a lighthouse in 1812 to help ships using Lough Foyle. I would love to see the lamp from Ireland's most northerly island, but the island is generally inaccessible. This is one for imagining a wave from the mainland, not planning a landing.

Malin Well Old ChurchChurch · 5.7 mi

Explorer Tom Malin Well Old Church lost its cheeky corner face to the National Museum of Ireland. I reckon it sits in a display case now, still staring blankly while tourists photograph the empty cliff edge below.

Wee House of Malin CaveCave · 5.7 mi

Explorer Tom Wee House of Malin Cave is measured at only 2.75 metres deep, yet the local saying gives it room for everything that goes in. That is one ambitious little house. The recorded cave sits beside Malin Well and the old church; I would let the story stretch the walls while leaving the real rock alone.

Explorer Tom approvedSeaview TavernRestaurant · 6.0 mi

Explorer Tom At Seaview Tavern, the seafood is the star: crab, oysters and fish of all kinds up at Malin Head. Tom's only problem is choosing what to eat first. He may have to come back for round two.

post box6.4 mi

Explorer Tom Post box in Ardmalin wears its 'ER VII' royal cipher with absolute confidence. I reckon that tiny crown is still pretending to rule the whole crossroads, even if nobody has bowed to it since Edward VII’s day.

Eire 80 signSecond World War neutrality sign · 6.6 mi

Explorer Tom EIRE 80 sign was written for eyes in the sky, not for someone standing beside it. The stones told wartime pilots they were over neutral Ireland, and 80 named Malin Head's lookout post. I would take the ground view slowly; this lettering had a much larger audience than most signs.

Wild Atlantic Way:Malin HeadVisitor information · 6.7 mi

Explorer Tom Wild Atlantic Way:Malin Head in County Donegal is sick of being asked if it’s really the edge of the world, because yes, it is, stop asking already. The wind here is rude, the sea is loud, and the headland just wants to be left alone to contemplate its own northerly superiority in peace. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Malin TowerSignal tower · 6.7 mi

Explorer Tom Behold Malin Tower, a square-plan structure that has served as everything from a signal station to a radio hub! It stands proudly on a rocky outcrop near Malin Head, offering some absolutely unobstructed views of the Atlantic.

Malin HeadVisitor attraction · 6.7 mi

Explorer Tom Malin Head is the end of the world, or at least the end of Donegal. The wind tries to blow your brain out. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face to catch the gulls in action.

White StrandGuesthouse · 7.0 mi

Explorer Tom White Strand is probably white because it hasn't been cleaned since 1954, or maybe it’s just naturally that pristine. The guesthouse beds are likely made with feathers that belong to very angry geese who demand respect in return. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Hell's Hole Cavern, Malin HeadSea cavern and cliff chasm · 7.3 mi

Explorer Tom Hell's Hole Cavern, Malin Head is a long, narrow chasm that sounds like a drum kit being dropped off a cliff. The Atlantic tide rushes in with such a thunderous roar you can hear the water before you see it.

SkildrenbegIslet · 7.5 mi

Explorer Tom Skildrenbeg in County Donegal sounds like a word invented by someone who was very tired and slightly drunk. It sits quietly near Malin Head, keeping its own counsel. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

More historic places in County Donegal · All of County Donegal

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover

Next place · or swipeInishtrahull