Fastnet Rock, Maritime lighthouse on Fastnet Rock, County Cork, Ireland
Fastnet Rock is a small granite island with a lighthouse standing 54 meters above the Atlantic Ocean off County Cork. The structure sits on an isolated rocky outcrop at Ireland's most southerly point, far from the mainland coast.
The first lighthouse was built in 1853 from cast iron and brick after the Stephen Whitney shipwreck showed the need for a stronger navigation point. It replaced an earlier structure that had stood on nearby Cape Clear Island.
The rock earned its name 'Ireland's Teardrop' because it was the last glimpse of home for countless Irish emigrants heading to North America. Today it remains a symbol of those who departed from this shore.
Boat tours depart from Baltimore or Schull villages and travel out to the rock, with optional stops at Cape Clear Island's Heritage Centre. Weather and sea conditions vary considerably, so spring and summer offer better visibility and calmer water for the journey.
The current structure contains 2,047 precisely fitted Cornish granite blocks that were transported by a dedicated steamship named Ierne during construction. This elaborate building method reflects the importance placed on this remote navigation marker.
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