Fanad Head Light, Maritime lighthouse at Lough Swilly entrance, County Donegal, Ireland
Fanad Head Light is a lighthouse at the entrance to Lough Swilly in County Donegal, serving maritime navigation along the Irish coast. The tower rises between the bay waters and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding coastal landscape.
The structure was built following the shipwreck of HMS Saldanha in 1811 to warn vessels away from dangerous rocks. The beacon first started operating in 1817, marking a turning point for maritime safety along this stretch of coast.
The lighthouse stands in the Donegal Gaeltacht, a region where Irish language and traditions remain part of daily life. Visitors encounter local stories and the living connection to Irish-speaking culture through conversations with those who work here.
The location has parking, a refreshment shop, and guided tours of the tower available for visitors. It is wise to check in advance whether tours are running and what conditions apply on the day of your visit.
Three former keeper's houses now serve as overnight accommodation, allowing guests to stay at an active maritime station. This unusual lodging offers insight into how lighthouse keepers and their families lived in earlier times.
Location: County Donegal
GPS coordinates: 55.27620,-7.63199
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:49
Historic lighthouses around the world tell the story of the way ships have been guided for hundreds of years. From the rocky coast of Norway to the cliffs of the Pacific, these towers have helped sailors since ancient times. The Tower of Hercules in Spain has been shining over the sea since the...
Lighthouses tell the history of sailing with their shapes and building styles. Some go back to Roman times, like the Tower of Hercules in Galicia, a structure from the second century still working today. Others are from the Middle Ages, such as the Hook Lighthouse in Ireland, with its...
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