Inisheer Lighthouse, Maritime beacon on Inisheer Island, Ireland
Inisheer Lighthouse is a white limestone tower with a black central stripe rising about 34 meters above sea level at the southeastern entrance to Galway Bay. The automated structure sends out a white beam and uses an additional red directional ray to help ships navigate the bay.
The lighthouse started operating in 1857 as a replacement for an older beacon on nearby Inishmore that had not worked well enough to protect ships in the dangerous waters around the Aran Islands. It has since served as a steady navigation marker on these challenging coastal waters.
The lighthouse forms part of island life and reflects the long tradition of maritime connection with these waters. Visitors can see how this structure shapes local identity as a community tied to the sea and seafaring.
The lighthouse is reachable from the island and offers visitors views over the bay and surrounding waters. Access can be limited during bad weather or heavy surf, so checking conditions before visiting is wise.
The lighthouse still uses its original optical system made by Chance Brothers of Birmingham, which was upgraded to LED technology in 2014 while keeping the historical mechanism intact. This blend of old and new technology shows how traditional structures can adapt to modern needs.
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