Capel Island Lighthouse

About half a mile offshore from Youghal Lighthouse is Capel Island. Also known as Cable Island at the time, its tower almost became a lighthouse in the mid-19th century, but the building was abandoned midway through.

The coast between Hook Head and Old Head of Kinsale was not lit at this time. The stretch of water was hazardous and required more navigation lights for the busy ports of Cork and Waterford. 

Youghal was expanding as a port in the 1820s, trading in timber, coal and anthracite, and fishing.   

Over five years, over thirty vessels had come to grief, so there were urgent calls for this stretch of coastline to be lit. In 1828, Youghal merchant Thomas Harvey petitioned for a lighthouse on Capel Island rather than at Youghal, where a previous tower had been established.

However, George Halpin thought that Capel Island was unsuitable for a lighthouse and recommended that a lighthouse should be built at the entrance to Youghal Harbour. Discussions continued for another twenty years or more before about the best location for a light.

Halpin recommended lights at Mine Head and Ballycotton and a harbour light at Youghal. However, he was pressured to prepare plans for a light on Capel Island.  Work started on the island in April 1847, but during the building, the vessel Sirius ran aground in thick fog on 16th January 1847 at Smith’s Rock, west of Ballycotton.  

Following the loss of the Sirius, the Ballast Board were advised to build two lighthouses to clear Smith’s Rock.  Even though work had already started, they abandoned plans for a lighthouse on Capel Island. It was suggested that the partially built tower could be removed and rebuilt on Ballycotton Island, but an entirely new lighthouse was commissioned. Another lighthouse was constructed at Mine Head.

Capel Island is only accessible with permission from BirdWatch Ireland. One of the best places to view the island is from Knockadoon. From the car park, a headland walk to Knockadoon Head leads to a good viewpoint of Capel Island.