Dun Laoghaire West Pier Lighthouse

The quieter (and longer) west pier at Dún Laoghaire was constructed between 1820 and 1827 and measures 1,548 metres.  Between them, the West and East piers shelter one of the largest and most developed marinas in Ireland. The marina is home to over 800 berths for visiting sea-faring vessels of all shapes and sizes. The harbour and surrounding promenade is also a very popular destination for walkers, joggers and day trippers who come to take in the sea air, enjoy the scenery and if the sun is out, sample a 99 or a cool drink.

The Lighthouse on the west pier was established in 1852, five years after it’s sibling across the harbour entrance. The metalwork is painted green, indicating ‘Starboard side’ for vessels entering the harbour.

When the East Pier lighthouse was made into a three keeper light, the principal keeper and his family moved out to the Spartan but presumably superior comfort of the house on the West Pier. This would have entailed a daily commute of rowing a boat the short distance across the harbor entrance, unless the weather was foul, in which case he would have had to take a considerable detour into town and back out the opposite pier.

The lighthouse was automated as far back as 1930 with its fixed red light changing to three red flashes every ten and latterly every 7.5 seconds.

Location:   53°18.19′ North, 06°07.86′ West.

Elevation:  11 m

Character: Fl (2) G 7.5s

Range:       13 km