Mine Head Lighthouse

Mine Head Lighthouse stands on high cliffs at the southern end of Dungarvan Bay, south of Helvick Head. George Halpin designed the red sandstone lighthouse; its elevation is the highest in Ireland at 285 feet.

Mine Head Lighthouse was first lit on 1st June 1851 on the same day at Ballycotton Lighthouse.

Merchants and shipowners had been campaigning for a light in the Youghal area for many years.  Work had already begun building a lighthouse on Capel Island, south of Youghal, in 1847.   George Halpin had recommended Mine Head to be a better location for a lighthouse.  Mine Head Lighthouse worked alongside Ballycotton Lighthouse with a harbour light at Youghal.

During the building of Capel Island Light, however, the vessel Sirius was lost off Smith’s Rock, west of Ballycotton, in thick fog, causing a rethink.  The Ballast Board decided to build two lighthouses to clear Smith’s Rock.  Capel Island was abandoned and used as an unlit beacon.  Instead of Capel Island, a light was constructed at Ballycotton and the other at Mine Head.

Two lighthouse keepers lived in the cottages, and additional keepers were employed for the darker winter nights.

Mine Head Lighthouse was converted to electric operation in 1964 and automated in 1973.   Its range was decreased in 2012.

The lighthouse drive is along a private road, and the lighthouse is not accessible.  The cliffs are very steep, so care must be taken.