South Island Lighthouse

Detached seven-stage flared cylindrical plan lighthouse, built 1857. Domed metal sheet roof to glazed lantern having cast-iron frame, and with drum-shaped cap having lightning conductor finial. Walkway outside lantern has cast-iron guard rail, floor of which is supported on painted limestone corbels. Ashlar limestone walls with square-headed window openings having cut limestone sills and thick paned windows. Doorways to base and second stage of north-west face, latter reached by metal stairway. Mortared snecked dressed limestone retaining wall around base of lighthouse. Long access road to complex bounded by mortared coursed rubble limestone walls, having dressed coursed limestone piers to lighthouse end with plinths, caps and metal double-leaf gates. Entrance at island north-east end has roughly dressed rubble limestone piers and wrought-iron gate. Rubble stone and mass concrete quay to north-east serves lighthouse complex.

Long access road to complex bounded by mortared coursed rubble limestone walls, having dressed coursed limestone piers to lighthouse end with plinths, caps and metal double-leaf gates.

This dramatically sited lighthouse is a masterpiece of ashlar limestone construction. It was designed by George Halpin Junior, who was also responsible for the structures on An tOileán Iarthach (Rock Island) to the west of Árainn, and that on Fastnet Rock. Good workmanship in metal is also evident at Inis Oírr and the lighthouse complex, complete with an extensive boundary wall and two exceptionally crafted keepers' houses, is of considerable architectural, technical and social interest.

Long access road to complex bounded by mortared coursed rubble limestone walls, having dressed coursed limestone piers to lighthouse end with plinths, caps and metal double-leaf gates.