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Howth Lighthouse

9WVM+J7 Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Name and Location

The Howth Lighthouse is located on the west pier of Howth Harbour in Dublin, Ireland.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed in 1818 and has been guiding vessels into and out of the harbour ever since. Originally manually operated by a keeper, it has since been automated to ensure consistent operation and reduced maintenance requirements.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands at approximately 13 meters (43 feet) above the high water mark. Its architectural style is characteristic of early 19th-century lighthouses, with a white-painted tower and a lantern room housing the light source.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse features two lights: one flashing white every 7.5 seconds with a range of 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers), and another flashing red every 7.5 seconds with a range of 9 nautical miles (17 kilometers). The light characteristic is Fl(2)W.15s, indicating that the light flashes two times, followed by 15 seconds of darkness.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse grounds during daylight hours, although the tower itself is not open to the public. The surrounding area offers scenic views of Howth Harbour and the Irish Sea.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse stands on a west-facing pier in the heart of Howth Harbour, with the nearby town offering amenities such as shops, restaurants, and accommodations.

Technical and Operational Details

As a historic maritime structure, the Howth Lighthouse has cultural and historical significance. It is listed under the US NGA Pub. 114 (2011-05-26) and has been documented in various sources, including Wikipedia (Q26214771).

Further Information

  • Irish Lights Authority: "Howth Lighthouse" (official publication)
  • Howth Harbour Users' Guide: "Lighthouses and Beacons"

Details

NameHowth Lighthouse
CityHowth
CountryIreland
Coordinates53.3940913, -6.0668424
Year of construction1818
Eventsshipwrecks; rescues
Focal height43
Tower height13
Heritage statustrue
Accessibletrue
Landscape typeharbour
Guided toursfalse
Facilitiesshops, restaurants, accommodations
Opening hoursdaylight hours
Light characteristic"Fl(2)W.15s"
Light range[12,9]
Automatedtrue