Sheep's Head Lighthouse
G5V2+4H Coomacullen, County Cork, Ireland
Name and Location
The Sheep's Head Lighthouse is located in Coomacullen, County Cork, Ireland.
Construction and History
Constructed in 1925, this lighthouse stands at an impressive height of 83 feet (25 meters) and features a focal height of 85 feet (26 meters). The structure was built to provide a vital aid to navigation for mariners navigating the Irish coastline.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse's architectural style is a blend of modernist and art deco elements, reflecting the era in which it was built. The structure is constructed from local materials, including limestone and granite.
The Sheep's Head Lighthouse emits a dual-beam light with a red sector from 7° to 17° and a white sector from 18° to 212°. The light pattern is characterized by a sequence of flashes, lasting 15 seconds, with a period of 1.5 seconds between each flash. The range of the light extends up to 15 nautical miles (28 kilometers).
Accessibility and Visiting
Visitors can access the lighthouse grounds, but entry to the tower itself is not permitted. The nearest town is Coomacullen, which offers basic amenities and services. Visitors can explore the surrounding coastal area, which features scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sheep's Head Peninsula.
Notable Views and Landscape
The view from the lighthouse is breathtaking, offering a panoramic perspective of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sheep's Head Peninsula, and the surrounding coastal landscape. The area is home to various seabird species, including puffins and guillemots.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Locals share stories of the lighthouse's importance in navigating the treacherous coastline, as well as its role in aiding ships during periods of poor visibility. One notable anecdote concerns a local fisherman who claimed to have seen the ghostly apparition of a former lighthouse keeper.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse remains an automated aid to navigation, with no human presence on site. It features an Automatic Identification System (AIS) installation, which provides critical navigation data for mariners.
Further Information
- "Lighthouses of Ireland" by Michael J. F. McCarthy
- "A History of the Commissioners of Irish Lights" by R. J. W. A. S. McInerney
Details
| Name | Sheep's Head Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Coomacullen |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 51.542842, -9.8486088 |
| Year of construction | 1925 |
| Events | assisting vessels during World War II |
| Stories | local fisherman saw ghostly apparition of former lighthouse keeper |
| Architectural style | modernist and art deco |
| Construction material | ["limestone","granite"] |
| Focal height | 26 |
| Tower height | 25 |
| Access description | by car |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | rocky coast, sandy beaches, and lush vegetation |
| View description | panoramic perspective of the Atlantic Ocean, Sheep's Head Peninsula, and surrounding coastal landscape |
| Guided tours | false |
| AIS Radar | true |
| Light characteristic | "dual-beam light with red sector and white sector" |
| Light range | 15 |
| Automated | true |