Poolbeg Lighthouse, Lighthouse at Dublin Bay, Ireland
Poolbeg Lighthouse is a red and white striped tower located at the end of the South Bull Wall extending into Dublin Bay. It stands about 20 meters tall and continues to function as an automated navigation aid for maritime traffic.
The lighthouse was built in 1767 to guide ships into the River Liffey and Dublin Port. It was upgraded from candlepower to oil illumination in 1786, making it more visible to passing vessels.
The lighthouse marks Dublin's connection to the sea and represents how the port shaped the city's identity over centuries. Visitors can sense this maritime bond when standing at the structure and looking toward the bay.
The lighthouse is reached by walking along the South Bull Wall, which can be partially submerged during high tide. Wear sturdy footwear and exercise caution in poor visibility or rough weather conditions.
Until 1958, Ireland's national mapping authority used the spring tide water level at the lighthouse as the standard elevation reference for all maps. This made the location a crucial benchmark for Irish cartography.
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