Barrack Point Lighthouse

Barrack Point Lighthouse is located on Sherkin Island. Both Clear Island and Sherkin Island stand at the southern approaches to Roaring Water Bay.

The lighthouse was built to warn of Loo Rock, located at the Baltimore Harbour entrance.

Following Father Davis’s requests, a temporary light was established at Barrack Point in 1885. The following year, in January 1886, a permanent light was established. The lighthouse housed a small lantern loaned to the local harbour board by Irish Lights.

The following year, Father Davis asked for the loan of a fog bell, which the Commissioners also granted. The bell broke in 1894 and was replaced. It was damaged again, but Irish Lights refused to replace it a third time.

Pete’s Irish Lighthouses blog has a great photo of the fog bell.

In March 1914, Skibbereen Harbour Board asked Irish Lights to take over responsibility for Sherkin Island Lighthouse. However, the commissioners also refused this.

Ferries operate out to Sherkin Island, and you can walk out to the lighthouse at Barrack Point.

Baltimore Beacon can be seen on the opposite headland on the mainland.