Commissioners of Irish Lights

31/03/2026

An Open Day will be held on 11 April at Inis Óirr Lighthouse as part of the ongoing collaboration between Irish Lights and Údarás na Gaeltachta to support community‑led lighthouse development. The event forms an early step in the shared ambition to see complementary opportunities that support community and rural development being developed using the practical guide From Vision to Operation: A Practical Guide to Community‑Led Lighthouse Development. This guide developed by Údarás na Gaeltachta with input from Irish Lights provides a structured pathway for communities to explore opportunities and complimentary uses for lighthouse sites in Gaeltacht areas.

Great Lighthouses of Ireland

18/03/2026

A new donation to the Irish Lights Archive highlights the legacy of Commissioner Thomas George Wilson (1938-1969), offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Ireland’s lighthouse service.

The collection includes rare photographs, documents, and stories connected to iconic projects such as the Kish Lighthouse and the vessel Granuaile II.

Among the most remarkable items are photo albums and slides from Wilson’s lighthouse inspection tours around the coast of Ireland, as well as drafts, photographs, and original ink drawings related to his 1967 publication The Irish Lighthouse Service. The book was written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Irish Lights and remains one of the first comprehensive and reliable studies of the organisation since its founding.

This donation provides valuable insight into Ireland’s maritime heritage and the work of Irish Lights.

To read the full article see: https://irish-lights-heritage.webflow.io/tgwilson/t-g-wilson-commissioner

09/10/2025

03/10/2025

As Great Lighthouses of Ireland marks its 10th anniversary, lighthouse tourism continues to flourish. RTÉ’s Shane Ó Curraighín reports on this remarkable growth.

A decade on, these lighthouses continue to guide not just ships, but also maritime heritage, tourism, local enterprise, and Ireland’s international story.

Listen to the full report from Morning Ireland by clicking the link below and going to timestamp 1h 40 mins here https://bit.ly/46UBrfz

The International Marine, Lighthouse Tourism & Maritime Heritage Conference takes place 7th and 8th October in Dublin Castle. In person registration is now closed but on-line tickets are available.

Great Lighthouses of Ireland Great Lighthouses of Ireland

26/09/2025

The European Route of Lighthouses will hold its General Assembly Meeting at the Irish Lights offices in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland, on October 6th, 2025.

Ireland is a founding member through via the Great Lighthouses of Ireland brand partnership developed by Irish Lights and hopes to increase the role for Ireland’s lighthouses within this important European network, to support and improve a shared European cultural heritage and promote sustainable cultural tourism.

Representatives from member countries will come together to discuss lighthouse heritage and the future of the network.

This annual gathering is a key event for the European Route of Lighthouses, providing a platform for collaboration and exchange among stakeholders across Europe.

As part of the wider programme, Espen Frøysland from the European Route of Lighthouses will share his insights on lighthouse tourism and his experience at the Lindesnes Lighthouse Museum in Norway. He will speak during Session 5 of the International Marine, Lighthouse Tourism and Maritime Heritage Conference, taking place on October 7th-8th, 2025.Register for the conference: https://bit.ly/MarineTourismHeritageCon

22/09/2025

Just 2 Weeks To Go - Secure your place at the International Marine, Lighthouse Tourism & Maritime Heritage Conference at Dublin Castle, 7-8 October 2025. Register today - https://bit.ly/MarineTourismHeritageCon

19/09/2025

Conference Spotlight - Session 6: Safeguarding and Restoring Our Marine and Natural Environments

Our partners are very aware of the importance of protecting our seas and coastlines, which is why we call them our .

Protecting our seas and coastlines is vital for communities, tourism and biodiversity but together we face growing pressures from climate change and human activity.
This session will look at how we can safeguard our natural and marine heritage, and become more sustainable with our management.

Dublin Castle, 7–8 October 2025

Register now https://bit.ly/MarineTourismHeritageCon

17/09/2025

Lighthouses are more than aids to navigation - they are anchors of identity, resilience, culture, and pride. They demonstrate how tourism can be community-led at its best: creating jobs, sustaining language, strengthening sense of place, and offering visitors an authentic connection the coast.

Join us at the International Marine, Lighthouse Tourism & Maritime Heritage Conference on 7th and 8th October and be part of the conversation. https://marinetourismandheritage.ie/

In this session, Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, will highlight how lighthouse and marine tourism support resilient, inclusive, and thriving coastal communities. A powerful mix of voices and perspectives - from national agencies and policy leaders to community operators, exploring how lighthouse and marine tourism can continue to empower communities and drive sustainable growth.

Register now: https://marinetourismandheritage.ie/

Partners: Údarás na Gaeltachta, Bord Iascaigh Mhara - Ireland's Seafood Development Agency, INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AIDS TO NAVIGATION (IFAN), Department of Transport, Cape Clear Ferriese Clear Ferries, Fanad Lighthouse

Speakers: Tomás Ó Síocháin, Caroline Bocquel, Catherine Mulvihill, William Priestley, Karen Cottrell, Eimear Ní Mhathúna, Ethna Murphy, Dave Ward

Great Lighthouses of Ireland

11/09/2025

On the 14th September from 10am - 4pm, celebrate European Heritage Open Days with us by stepping inside history, and staying in it.

Our restored properties invite you to experience Ireland’s heritage firsthand.🏰

Booking is encouraged on the link in our bio. We hope to see you there!

Properties:

St. John’s Point Lightkeepers’ Houses, Co. Down
Tullymurry House, Co. Down

Barbican Gatelodge, Glenarm
Blackhead Lightkeepers’ Houses, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Drum Gatelodge, Bushmills, Co. Antrim
Kiln Wing, Old Corn Mill in Bushmills, Co. Antrim
Magherintemple Lodge, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim

Triumphal Arch Lodge at Colebrooke Estate, Co. Fermanagh

11/09/2025

International Marine, Lighthouse Tourism and Maritime Heritage Conference
Dublin Castle, 7-8 October 2025
Register: https://marinetourismandheritage.ie/

Hear from our speakers: From Vision to Impact – Delivering Compelling Marine & Lighthouse Tourism Experiences

How do we harness the draw of iconic lighthouses and coastal locations into world-class destinations?

This session explores innovation, adaptive reuse, and design-led storytelling, with lessons from Ireland and Europe’s most inspiring lighthouse projects.

Partners: Fáilte Ireland Belfast Trust, Floatel Hideaways, Pater Noster A home on the horizon (Sweden), R-evolution Green Cubes UNRAVEL Ireland

Speakers: Orla Carroll, Kerrie Sweeney, Tim Wittenbecher, Mirja Lilja Hagsjö, Erik Josefsson, Catherine Mack, Fiona Descoteaux, Bobby Kerr

Register now! https://marinetourismandheritage.ie/

Great Lighthouses of Ireland