Ireland is home to over 80 lighthouses scattered along its coastline. Far more than insular heritage, Irish lighthouses are genuine historical jewels with turbulent stories. We invite you to discover the most beautiful lighthouses to see in Irlande. So, ready to breathe in some invigorating sea air while exploring these giants of the sea?

Hook Head Lighthouse, County Wexford

Hook Head Lighthouse is a white lighthouse with black stripes located on the Hook Head Peninsula in County Wexford. Standing for over 800 years above Waterford Harbour, it is Ireland's oldest lighthouse and one of Europe's oldest. It was constructed by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and the most celebrated knight of his time. 

Still operational today, it has been transformed into a museum. Visitors can explore the interior of the lighthouse and reach its summit to enjoy an exceptional view of the wild coastline.

Insider tip: to discover the local flora and fauna, we recommend taking a hiking trail from the village of Slade that follows the coast before reaching the lighthouse. Allow approximately 2 hours for the walk.

Practical Information:

Address: Hook Head, Churchtown, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Admission: €12 per adult, €6 for children over 5 years old and free for children under 5.
Hours: Daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, September to June and 9:30 am to 6 pm, July and August.
More information at hookheritage.ie

Mizen Head Lighthouse, County Cork

Mizen Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse located at the southernmost point of Irlande in County Cork. It is one of the must-visit stops on the Wild Atlantic Way. Though beautiful in itself, Mizen Head impresses primarily for its striking location. Indeed, it sits on a rock barely attached to Irlande.

To reach it, visitors must cross a suspended bridge over 300 meters high above the ocean's chasm. Once there, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and Fastnet Rock. It's also possible to visit the former keeper's house. 

Practical Information:

Address: Harbour Road, Goleen, Co. West Cork, Ireland
Admission: €7.50 per adult, €6 for seniors and students, €4.50 for children under 14 and free for children under 5. Group and family rates are also available.
Hours: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm, June to August – daily from 10:30 am to 5 pm, September to April and weekends from 11 am to 4 pm, November to March.
More information at mizenhead.ie

Fanad Head Lighthouse, County Donegal

Located on the Fanad Peninsula in County Donegal, Fanad Head Lighthouse is also one of the major sites on the famous Wild Atlantic Way route. Perched on the cliffs, this lighthouse was built in 1811, following a tragic event: the wreck of the HMS Saldanha during which the entire crew was lost. Constructed to prevent further such tragedies, it was inaugurated in 1817 and remains operational today. 

You can visit the main tower, explore exhibition rooms and climb to its summit to enjoy a breathtaking view of the coastal landscape. Note that children must be at least 1.20 meters tall to climb the tower.

Practical Information:

Address: Cionn Fhánada Eara Thíre na Binne, Baile Láir, Co. Donegal, F92 YC03, Ireland.
Admission: €10 per adult, €5 for children over 5 years old, free for children under 5. Group and family rates are also available.
Accommodation from €318 for two nights.
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, January to February, Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, daily from 10 am to 6 pm, June to September, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 4 pm, October to December.
More information at fanadlighthouse.com

Blackhead Lighthouse, County Antrim

Blackhead Lighthouse (not to be confused with Black Head in County Clare) is a lighthouse nestled on the edge of the volcanic cliffs of Blackhead, overlooking Belfast Bay in County Antrim. Inaugurated in 1902, it is known for having guided great ocean liners departing from Belfast, including the Titanic, the Olympic and the Britannic. 

In addition to admiring this black-headed lighthouse, it is possible to hike along the coast. A little further on, don't miss the famous Gobbins Cliff Path, a suspended cliff-side walking trail.

Worth noting: Blackhead Lighthouse offers the chance to spend the night in one of the former residences of lighthouse keepers. 

Practical Information:

Address: 20 Blackhead Path, Whitehead, Carrickfergus BT38 9PB, United Kingdom
Blackhead Lighthouse cannot be visited. However, you can arrange a stay in one of the houses of former keepers. The tariff for one night starts from €420 for two nights.
More information at irishlandmark.com

Rathlin Island Lighthouses, County Antrim

Are you dreaming of seeing Irish lighthouses? Head to Rathlin Island, roughly ten kilometers offshore from the Antrim coast, at the tip of Northern Irlande, where you'll find not one but 3 lighthouses! 

The most emblematic is Rathlin West Light. Built in 1919 on the cliff edge, this lighthouse has the distinctive feature of being upside down. Indeed, its light is positioned in the lower part of the lighthouse. 

The second lighthouse is Rathlin East Lighthouse. Built in 1856, it is the island's oldest. As a fascinating detail, it was used by Italian engineer Guglielmo Marconi as a long-distance radio transmission antenna to monitor Canadian and American ships. 

As for the youngest, Rue Point Lighthouse stands on the southern tip of the island and measures only 3 meters tall. Unlike the previous two which remain operational, this one is unoccupied. 

Worth noting: Rathlin Island is renowned for hosting Northern Irlande's largest seabird colony. Over 250,000 birds are recorded there annually, including guillemots, puffins, auks, gulls, fulmars... To learn more and observe them, visit the Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre located within the Rathlin West Light Lighthouse facilities, which also features an observation platform. Beyond birds, the island is renowned for its seal population.

Practical Information:

Address: Rathlin Island, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, Ireland Admission: The island's lighthouses are not open for interior visits. Only the West Light Seabird Centre (seabird centre) offers visits at €5 per adult, €3.50 for students and €2.50 for children.
Family and group rates available.
Hours: The West Light Seabird Centre is open daily from April 15 to September 20, 9:30 am to 5 pm.
More information at rspb.org.uk

Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, County Cork

Fastnet Rock (Carraig Aonair in Irish) is a tiny rocky island located 6.5 kilometers southwest of Clear Island. At the heart of the island stands just one building: the famous Fastnet Rock Lighthouse. Built in 1853, it was erected following the wreck of the American ship Stephen Whitney with the goal of replacing the old lighthouse on Clear Island. 

Rising 177 feet from the ocean (approximately 54 meters), it constitutes Irlande's tallest lighthouse. Isolated on its island, it is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the country and in Europe. Though still operational, the lighthouse is not open to visitors. You can only approach and admire it by boat. During the crossing, keep your eyes open—you might spot dolphins! 

For reference, the lighthouse is a waypoint on the famous sailing races "Fastnet Race" and "Mini-Fastnet". It also serves as a marker for the Solitaire du Figaro race.

Practical Information:

Address: Fastnet Rock, Co. Cork, Ireland. Boat excursions depart from Baltimore or Schull.
Admission: The lighthouse is not open to interior visits, but you can approach it on a boat excursion with Cape Clear Ferries company. You can opt for a full-day excursion with a stop on Cape Clear Island and a tour around Fastnet Rock, or a Twilight excursion of approximately 3 hours to see the sunset at Fastnet Rock Lighthouse.
Count €44 per adult, €30 per child. Group and family rates are also available.
Hours: Visits run from late April to October from Baltimore and June to August from Schull.

• Full-day excursion: depart Baltimore at 10:45 am and return at 5 pm or depart Schull at 11:30 am and return at 5 pm.

• Sunset excursion: depart at 5 pm or 6 pm from Baltimore and return at 8:15 pm or 9:15 pm (depending on season).

More information at capeclearferries.com 

Sleep in a Lighthouse, an Unforgettable Experience to Live in Irlande!

Sleeping in a lighthouse means stepping into a keeper's shoes, waking up to face the ocean and enjoying the spectacle of sunrise and sunset in solitude. Does the adventure appeal to you? Visit the Irish Landmark Trust website, a charity dedicated to preserving Irlande's heritage and offering unique stays including nights in former lighthouse keepers' homes.