Teach Solais an Reachlainn Uí Bhirn

Freestanding three-stage lighthouse on circular-plan, built between 1847 - 56, having faceted glass and metal lantern. Metal walkway around base of lantern, supported on moulded stone corbels, having simple wrought-iron railings. Metal cap with lightning rod over to lantern. Single-bay single-storey gable-fronted entrance porch to the south. Coursed rubble stone construction having stepped rendered base. Square-headed window openings having stone sills and mainly six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Wrought-iron security bars to lower window openings. Square-headed doorway to porch having timber door and overlight. Doorway reached up flight of steps flanked to either side by rendered walls having wrought-iron railings over. Modern single-bay single-storey flat roofed addition to the east elevation. Solar panels adjacent to entrance porch to the south-west. Rubble stone boundary wall to the north and north-east of site. Associated former lighthouses keepers’ houses (see 40908905) and ancillary structures adjacent to the east and south-east. Located on the western edge of Rathlin O’Birne Island c. two miles off Malin Beg.

This lighthouse forms a dramatic feature on Rathlin O’Birne island off the west Donegal coast. The finely crafted stonework is typical of lighthouse construction, while the retention of early fabric enhances its historic character and integrity. This lighthouse was originally built to designs by George Halpin (1779 – 1854), who was Inspector of Works and Lighthouses for the Ballast Board from 1810 until his death in 1854. Halpin designed and/or supervised the construction of many lighthouses throughout Ireland, including those on Troy Island, St. John’s Point, Fanad Head, Inishowen, Rotten Island near Killybegs, and on Inishtrahull in County Donegal. The main contractor involved in the construction here at Rathlin O’Birne was a James Creden/Credden, a builder and architect from Enniskillen. The light was first exhibited on the 4th or 14th of April 1856. The originally light (a six wick burner inside a revolving dioptric lens) was replaced by a paraffin vapour burner in 1908. This lighthouse was later converted to a nuclear power source (isotope generator) from 1974 until 1984. Rathlin O’Birne was first (and most powerful) lighthouse in the world to use this power source, which adds considerably to the technical interest to this site. It was later powered by wind generators (until 1994) and is now powered by solar panels to site. Set in an exposed and isolated situation off the coast of Malin Beg, this lighthouse acts as a monument to the skill and dedication of those involved in its initial construction, and to the lighthouse keepers stationed here from the mid-nineteenth century until automation in the mid-1970s. It forms the centrepiece of a group of related structures along with the former lighthouse keeper’s houses to site (see 40908905) and the terrace of four two-storey houses in Gleann Cholm Cille/Glencolumbkille (see 40841010 to 40841013), which were built c. 1910 to house lighthouses keepers and their families who worked here at Rathlin O’Birne lighthouse, and is an important element of the extensive maritime heritage of County Donegal.