Roancarrig Lighthouse

Roancarrigmore or Roancarrig serves as a harbour light guiding shipping in Bantry Bay and lighting the eastern entrance to Berehaven. It was built on foot of a request by the Coast Guard service at Castletownbere in 1838. The original buildings were designed by our old friend Inspector George Halpin and the light was first exhibited in August 1847. In September 1975 it was converted to electricity at which time the station became unmanned.

Roancarrig is the first of a new generation of Irish Lighthouses. The Commissioners of Irish Lights designed a stainless steel tower with an array of LED Lights and twelve 50W Solar Panels to replace the extensive masonry tower, dwellings, diesel generators, and various accouterments of the previous station. This pillar now sits forward of the old black and white tower.

Shore dwellings for the Keepers and their families were built at Castletownbere in the early 1900s but the station had been relieving from 1896 with the Keepers living in lodgings in Castletownbere.

The island, lodgings and disused tower were recently sold and are hopefully enjoying a second life as a bracing retreat and holiday home.

Location:    51°39.183′ North, 09°44.823′ West.

Elevation:   18 m

Character:  Fl WR 3s

Range:        W: 20 km, R: 17 km, R (reduced) 9 km