As a result of automation the Commissioners are no longer able to allow members of the general public to visit lighthouses under their jurisdiction - though, of course, those that are accessible can be seen from the outside.


The most suitable book for touring around Irish lighthouses is An Eagle’s View of Irish Lighthouses by John Eagle (ISBN 0 9537271 0 6), published by Eagle’s Eye Publications, Eyeries, Beara, Co Cork, phone+353 (0) 27 74275, e-mail: john@johneaglephoto.com. Website: http://JohnEaglePhotography.com

There is a visitor centre at Hook Head Lighthouse at the south-east corner of Ireland (the oldest lighthouse tower in Ireland and one of the oldest lighthouses in the world still in operation). The lighthouse dates from the 13th century and for its first 300 years approximately the light was tended by monks. Following the automation of the lighthouse the visitor centre and exhibition was opened in the former Lighthouse Keepers' Dwellings. Car and coach parking is available on site. Discount is available for group bookings. Please contact the centre in advance to ensure a comfortable visit for groups. Multi-lingual literature is available. Hook Lighthouse is situated on the R734, 50 km from Wexford, 29 km from Waterford via the Passage East Car Ferry and 38km from New Ross. Open 1 March - 31 October 7 days a week 9.30 am - 5.30 pm (subject to seasonal change). Access to the lighthouse is by guided tour only, last guided tour 5.00 p.m. Limited opening on selected Sundays November - February. Contact the centre for further details of opening times. Hook Lighthouse, Hook Head, Fethard-on-Sea, Co.Wexford; Tel: + 353 (0)51 397055/4; Fax:00 353 (0)51 397056; Email : thehook@eircom.net Website http://www.thehook-wexford.com/

There is also a visitor centre at Mizen Head Lighthouse (on the extreme south-west corner of Ireland) which is open to the public at week-ends in winter and daily in summer. This is well worth a visit, even though it hasn't a traditional lighthouse tower, just a lantern on a steel post. It was originally a fog-signal station only. Another point of interest is that it has the first reinforced concrete bridge ever constructed in Ireland (a most important piece of industrial archaeology). There is an interesting exhibition in the former Keepers' Dwellings. There is also a shop and cafe. Opening times: June, July and August: Daily 10:00-18:00; April, May, September, & October: 10:30-17:30; Nov - March week-ends 11:00 -16:00. For further information Tel: +44 (0)28 35115/35225; Fax: +44 (0)28 35603 Websites www.mizenhead.ie and http://www.mizenhead.net

The Skellig Experience Heritage Centre, Valentia Island, Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry, (access by road bridge or ferry service) is a multimedia exhibition telling the story of the Skellig Islands, renowned for their scenery, sea and bird life, early medieval monastic settlement, and 161 years of lighthouse service to mariners, lighthouse memorabilia, ship-to-shore communications, maritime artefacts. Open Daily. AudioVisual Display; MultiMedia display; Group Visits. Telephone: +353 (0)66 76306; Fax: +353 (0)64 34506; Internet and e-mail links: e-mail: cobhher@indigo.ie

Kilmore Quay Maritime Museum, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford is housed in the former lightship Guillemot, built in 1923 and taken out of service in 1968. The vessel is not the last Irish lightship as claimed on some of the publicity material. However, it is complete with all its cabins (containing the original furniture and fittings. It also houses many original and unusual artefacts. Below deck there are model ships, a very extensive collection of pictures, and many sea antiques. Contact: W. Jarvis; address for correspondence: The Kilmore Quay Maritime Museum, Ballyteigue, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford; Telephone: +353 (0)53 29655; 29832; opening hours: June-September, daily.

Irrespective of the opening days stated above you are recommended to check on opening days/times once you have planned your itinerary.

Irish Landmark Trust, 25 Eustace Street Temple Bar, Dublin 2, 'phone: +353-1-670 4733; fax: +353-1-6704887; e-mail: landmark@iol.ie ; Website: www.irishlandmark.com has restored and re-fitted a number of former lighthouse dwellings, and a disused 18th century lighthouse tower at Wicklow Head for use as holiday homes.