Name and Location

The Baily Lighthouse, also known as "Howth Head Light," is a major coastal light located in Dublin, Ireland. Its official name is simply "Baily Lighthouse." The lighthouse sits on the Howth Head peninsula, overlooking Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea.

Construction and History

Built in 1814, with modifications made in 1844, the Baily Lighthouse was designed by George Halpin Senior, General Surveyor for the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Initially, it had permanent keepers, but automation took place in 1991, making it unnecessary to have a full-time presence at the site.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a white-painted masonry tower with a single level ancillary building on a flat roof. Its structure consists of a rubble stone core, rendered and lime-washed exterior, characteristic of early 19th-century functional maritime architecture typical of Irish Lights.

Light and Navigation

The Baily Lighthouse emits a light that flashes every 15 seconds (characteristic: Fl W 15 s). The focal height is 41 meters above mean high water, with a range of approximately 26 nautical miles. It serves as an important navigational aid for shipping in Dublin Bay and approaches to Dublin Port.

Accessibility and Visiting

While the tower interior is not open to casual visitors, exterior viewpoints offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. To reach the lighthouse, follow signage to Howth Head and Baily Lighthouse via Thormanby Road; a small car park is near Bailey Cottage. Alternatively, take Dublin Bus route 31 to Howth village and then walk or take a taxi.

Notable Views and Landscape

From its clifftop setting on the rocky headland, the lighthouse offers panoramic vistas east toward Lambay Island, south to Dublin skyline, and north along the coast to County Wicklow. Nearby attractions include Howth Castle & Gardens, Howth Cliff Walk, and Howth Harbour.

Anecdotes and Folklore

• Local fishermen's tales speak of "lantern lights" on the headland before the lighthouse was built.
• In 1861, the light was temporarily darkened during a severe gale, with several vessels reporting near-misses on Laura's Rocks reef.
• Former keeper's logbooks (c. 1850-1900) record dramatic shipwreck rescues in winter storms.

Technical and Operational Details

The Commissioners of Irish Lights own and manage the lighthouse. It is an active major coastal light, with an AIS station installed. Radar equipment is not present at this site.

Further Information

For more information on the Baily Lighthouse, consult [1] Murray's "The Lighthouses of Ireland" (Collins Press, 2017) or visit the Irish Lights website (https://www.irishlights.ie/) and Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baily_Lighthouse).