Baily Lighthouse in Howth, why should you bother? Well, because headlights are one of the most iconic motifs in landscape photography, either as part of them or as part of the often rugged landscape. And Baily’s Lighthouse, situated on the cliffs that stretch out into Dublin Bay from Howth, must be one of Ireland’s most photographed lighthouses on the east coast. For its picturesque surroundings. Because of its outdated design. And due to its relatively easy accessibility.
So why not include Baily’s Lighthouse on a visit to the old Dublin suburb of Howth? This is what you need to know:
Facts about the Baily lighthouse
Shining its guiding light for nearly 50 kilometers (or 26 nautical miles) over the Irish Sea, and marking the approaches to Dublin Port, the Baily Lighthouse is located in the southeastern part of Howth Head, at 53 ° 21’44.08 north and 6 ° 3’10.78 west, to be precise. It is part of the large number of headlights operated by the Irish Commissioners of Lights and has been automated since 1996.
The lighthouse itself, part of a larger building complex on a rocky outcrop accessible by road (though not with public access), is only 13 meters high. But the “focal height” (the term for the actual height of light shown above normal sea levels) is 41 meters. Which represents a range of 48 kilometers through the water.
Although Baily’s lighthouse has been fully automatic for several years, making the lighthouse keeper redundant, an assistant still lives in the former residence of the main director.
A small museum has also found its home at the Baily Lighthouse, established in 2000 and displaying smaller memorabilia and artifacts, most of which were collected and donated by retired staff. Unfortunately this exhibition is not open on a regular basis, it can only be visited by arrangement (which can be a bit difficult to organize).
Even the grounds are not open to the public, signs on the access road prohibit entry. But all is not lost, as the Baily Lighthouse can be seen from the trails around Howth Head, with the easiest access to a great view from Howth Summit via a short walk along the Cliff Path Loop.
A brief history of the Baily lighthouse
The first lighthouse at Howth was erected around 1667 by Sir Robert Reading, who had letters of patent from King Charles II. Originally only a square tower with a coal lighthouse and a hut was built, parts of which actually remain atop the point.
Only in 1790 was the charcoal beacon replaced by six oil lamps with a silver parabolic mirror and a “porthole” glass to focus the light. Operations fell under the office of the Commissioners of Revenue at this time, who could also have used the lighthouse as a lookout post to thwart smugglers.
By 1810, the clumsily named ‘Dublin Port Preserving and Improving Corporation’ took over, and it was dissatisfied with the location of the light – the relatively high location meant that fog often interfered with visibility. In late 1811, Little Baily (also called Dungriffen) was identified as a much better location. And by St. Patrick’s Day in 1814, a new tower and a house for the lighthouse keeper were completed at the current location. It had no less than 24 oil lamps and reflectors.
Still, fog could be a problem… and two accidents in the fog showed that non-optical upgrades were needed for the Baily lighthouse. In August 1846, Dublin City Steam Packet Company’s PS ‘Prince’ steamboat ran into cliffs just 2,500 meters from the lighthouse in dense fog. While this raised concerns, money was tight. Until February 1853, the PS “Queen Victoria” suffered similar damage, a maritime tragedy in which more than eighty people, crew and passengers died. As a direct result of this massive loss of life and the investigation determining that acoustic warnings could have prevented the wreck, a fog hood was installed in April of the same year.
During the 1860s, Baily Lighthouse received upgraded lights, and the fuel burned in them was changed from oil to gas (first on an experimental basis), so the station received its own small gas works. And while the fog hood remained an emergency measure, the acoustic signals were switched first to an air horn, then to a siren during the 1870s. With the addition of staff accommodation over the years , the Baily lighthouse slowly acquired its current state.
Only in 1972 was the system electrified, now a massive 1,500 watt light bulb in a rotating lens began to flash every 20 seconds, but the lights quickly became a secondary warning system, and the radio beacons became systems. primary to warn and guide ships. So since 1978 the still new light didn’t work 24/7 but only in poor visibility. And even the acoustic fog signal was scrapped in 1995 (which must have been a relief to the locals). Finally, in 1996, Baily Lighthouse became an automatic operation.
The last of the regular lighthouse keepers left the Baily lighthouse on March 24, 1997, 183 years and seven days after the start of operations. And with the lighthouse keeper, the job was gone… as Baily was the last of the Irish lighthouses to become an automatic operation.
Why you should make a detour to see the Baily lighthouse
Well, look at the picture above and then tell me it’s not worth a visit. The scenic setting on the rocks next to the main peninsula, the old design of the lighthouse itself, and the ‘aerial view’ all combine to make you bring your camera. Or just enjoy the view and enjoy the sea air.
Isn’t that reason enough? Even if you’re only remotely interested in Ireland’s maritime heritage, the Baily Lighthouse is sure to rank among your favorite vacation snapshots.
Baily Lighthouse Essentials
- Website : More information on Irish lighthouses can be found on the website of the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
- Directions : Baily Lighthouse is situated on a rocky outcrop on the southeastern side of the Howth Peninsula, there is an access road (authorized entry only), but it is difficult to park near it. The easiest access to a panoramic view of the Baily Lighthouse can be obtained through the parking lot at Howth Summit. Follow the main path from the top downhill for a short distance and you are all set to go.
- Public Transport : Howth Summit is a Dublin bus stop – parking and access to the cliff trails are just a few steps uphill from there and are signposted.
A little addition
The optics used at the Baily lighthouse between 1902 and 1972 were saved from destruction and are on display at the National Maritime Museum of Ireland in Dun Laoghaire, quite far away, but can be easily reached by taking the DART along the coast of the Bay of Dublin Closer to you may also want to take a look at the Howth Harbor Lighthouse, a historic building with links to the Irish struggle for independence.
