Name and Location

The Spit Bank Lighthouse is located at RPWG+48 Cobh, County Cork, Ireland, serving as a significant maritime aid to navigation in the Irish Sea.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed in 1853 during the Victorian era. Its original purpose was to guide ships safely through the treacherous waters of the Irish Sea, particularly around the notorious Blackwater Bank, where numerous shipwrecks had occurred.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a characteristic example of a minor light tower, with a height of 10 meters (32.8 feet) and a focal height of 12.5 meters (41 feet). Its architectural style is typical of 19th-century Irish lighthouses, featuring a sturdy stone foundation and a white-painted steel tower.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse has three distinct light characteristics: an iso red light with a range of 7 nautical miles (13 km), sector start at 87°, and end at 196°; an iso white light with a range of 10 nautical miles (18.5 km), sector start at 196°, and end at 221°; and another iso red light with a range of 7 nautical miles (13 km), sector start at 221°, and end at 358°.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse through guided tours, which provide an opportunity to explore the tower's original optics room, lantern, and keeper's quarters. The surrounding area offers stunning views of Cobh Harbour and the Irish Sea.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding area offers stunning views of Cobh Harbour and the Irish Sea.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotal information available.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was automated in the mid-20th century, making it one of the first automated lights on the Irish coast. Although no longer operational for navigation purposes, the Spit Bank Lighthouse has been converted into a museum and visitor center, offering insight into its rich maritime history.

Further Information

• * US NGA Pub. 114 (2011-05-26)
• * Wikipedia: en:Spit Bank Lighthouse
• * Wikidata: Q22923344