Inishgort Lighthouse, Co Mayo

Inishgort lighthouse in Clew Bay marks the entrance channel to Westport and to Rosmoney pier and pontoon in Clew Bay, County Mayo.

The lighthouse tower was originally built in 1806 and the island was one of the last places in Ireland to be connected to the electric grid.

Vessels heading to port in days past were met by a ship’s pilot from the Gibbons family living on nearby Inishlyre Island, who guided them through the winding channel to Westport quays.

The relatively calm inshore waters around the 365 islands of Clew Bay are fished for ray, bull huss, monkfish, dogfish and occasional tope. Large skate over 45 kilos are taken with a fair degree of regularity aboard boats anchored in the channel off the Lighthouse. The fish are then tagged and released unharmed as part of a programme to help conservation and scientific research.

Nearby is Dorinish, the island that John Lennon famously purchased in the late sixties.

The light was converted to solar power in July 2000.

Location:    53°49.594′ North, 09°40.259′ West.

Elevation:   11m

Character:  LFl W 10s

Range:         10 nm