Baltimore Beacon

Baltimore Beacon is a navigation light in County Cork, consisting of a white stone tower topped with a red metal cap that stands on a cliff overlooking the channel between the mainland and Sherkin Island. The structure rises prominently above the surrounding landscape and commands views of the harbor entrance from its position.

The beacon was built in 1848 to replace an earlier warning structure that had guided ships through dangerous coastal waters. It has served as a steady navigation aid for vessels entering Baltimore Harbour ever since.

Local people call this structure Lot's Wife, linking it to the biblical figure transformed into a pillar of salt. This folk name shows how the community has woven the beacon's distinctive shape into its own stories and traditions.

The site is free to access and reached by a roughly 25-minute walk from Baltimore village. Parking is limited, with only a few spaces available near the beacon.

The wreck of the 17th-century ship HMS Looe rests at the base of the cliff where the structure stands guard over the harbor entrance. This sunken vessel is a silent witness to the dangerous waters that the beacon has helped protect since its construction.

GPS coordinates: 51.47366,-9.38804

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05