Name and Location

Inishgort Lighthouse is a small, unmanned navigational light station located on the west coast of Ireland. It is situated on a rocky islet off Collan Beg in northern County Mayo, marking a hazard for submerged rocks around Inishgort islet.

2. Construction and History

The exact construction date of Inishgort Lighthouse is unknown, but it is likely to have been built in the 20th century. The lighthouse is managed and maintained by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, but there are no recorded detailed construction records or keeper-logs available. Local folklore mentions that Inishgort was once used by small fishing boats sheltering from Atlantic storms.

3. Architecture and Materials

Inishgort Lighthouse has a cylindrical, masonry tower painted white, with a single-storey service building at the base. The structure is 11 meters high, with a focal plane height of approximately 11 meters above mean high water. The lighthouse was constructed using local stone with lime mortar rendering.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic of Inishgort Lighthouse is a long-flashing white beam with a group sequence of "2 + (8)" every 10 seconds. The nominal range of the light is 10 nautical miles. The lighthouse features a modern LED beacon, with an original lens type undocumented.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The tower and adjacent service building are closed to visitors. However, it is possible to view the site from the Collan Beg shoreline via a short walk from the Roonagh Pier road. Landing by private boat is also possible in calm conditions, but there is no formal berth available.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers panoramic westward views over Clew Bay's islets, with breathtaking sunsets over the Atlantic horizon. The surrounding landscape features rugged rocky outcrops, tidal pools, low cliffs, and heathland.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local folklore tells us that Inishgort was once used by small fishing boats seeking shelter from Atlantic storms. While there are no documented shipwrecks directly associated with the islet, it remains a vital aid to navigation for vessels transiting Clew Bay.

8. Technical and Operational Details

Inishgort Lighthouse is fully automated, with an AIS station (MMSI 992501179) broadcasting vessel-traffic information. The lighthouse is managed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and is listed as seamark:light_minor in the Irish Pilot Charts.

9. Further Information

For more information on Inishgort Lighthouse, visit the Irish Lights website at https://www.irishlights.ie or explore nearby attractions such as Clew Bay Heritage Centre (Westport), Croagh Patrick pilgrimage mountain (16 km south), and Roonagh Pier–Inishturk Island ferry (seasonal service).