Ardnakinna Lighthouse

Ardnakinna Lighthouse is located on the western side of Bere Island near Castletownbeare. 

The lighthouse, in its current form, was established in November 1965. Prior to this, an unlit beacon, established in 1850, marked the western tip of Bere Island.

The Admiralty first recommended a beacon to mark the western entrance of Castletownbeare in 1847.  A beacon was built at Ardnakinna and was completed in 1850.  A local attendant looked after the structure until 1863, when the tower was capped.

Responsibility for the beacon, along with local beacons and buoys, was transferred to the Admiralty in 1902. This was discontinued in 1923. However, in December 1945, a trawler struck a rock near Castletownbeare. 

The Commissioners were approached to reinstate the discontinued harbour lights. There was mounting pressure to light the area, and in 1955, Captain W J Kelly recommended that a light be built on Ardnakinna. It was also recommended that leading lights be established to guide vessels into the safe channel. However, the Ministry of Transport refused, and the discussions continued for some years. 

It was not until 1964 that approval was finally granted, and the existing beacon at Ardnakinna was converted into a lighthouse.  A lantern was added to the tower, which had an intermediate floor and a balcony.  A former lightvessel lantern was adapted to fit onto a concrete base, and the tower was painted white.

A Chance 500mm optic was installed, powered by electricity with a standby diesel generator.

The light was first exhibited on 23rd November 1965.  An Attendant at Castletownbeare Helicopter Base looks after the lighthouse.  He is also Attendant for Castletownbeare Light and Roancarrigmore.

A new LED light was installed in 2014.

Bere Island is accessible by two ferries: The lighthouse is also visible across the water from Dunboy, where a coastal path affords fine views.