Travel News July/August 2016
CALL OF THE WILD Irish Lighthouses unique stay option...
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UTTING bravely out into the Wild Atlantic Ocean, positioned at the northern tip of spectacularly breathtaking Fanad Head Peninsula, surrounded by dazzling beauty on each side by the picturesque Mulroy Bay and idyllic Lough Swilly, standing 22 metres tall, strong and steadfast against the sometimes relentless elements, it’s no wonder that Fanad Head Lighthouse tends to leaves visitors amazed as it is situated in one of the most extreme yet awe-inspiring coastal locations on earth. Fanad Head has been voted one of the most beautiful Lighthouses in the world, and recently more than 100 guests attended the official opening of the EU INTERREG IVA supported Lighthouse, which now offers guided tours and unique self-catering accommodation with simply sensational overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
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These spectacular offerings will be managed by; Forbairt Fhánada Teoranta, a local community group. The launch at the end of April was a bi-lingual event, as Fanad is the only lighthouse in the Gaeltacht open to the public. Renowned author and educator Finbarr Bradley performed the offical opening ceremony.
From a technical standpoint, the light in Fanad Head Lighthouse will continue to be operated and maintained by Irish Lights. A Light was first established here nearly 200 years ago (in 1817) to protect seafarers, and could be seen for over 14 miles on a clear day. It remains an important aid to navigation for mariners today, alongside 66 other lighthouses operated and maintained by Irish Lights. This exciting project facilitated by Irish Lights, and operated by Forbairt Fhánada Teoranta, will contribute to the ongoing economic development of the local region.
Speaking at the official opening, Yvonne Shields -
Irish Lights Chief Executive commented: Irish Lights has a long and rich history and connection to the coast and its communities. We have and continue to provide an important navigation service around the coast of Ireland and Fanad Lighthouse is an important navigation aid on the North West coast. In 2012 when we first contemplated the idea of refurbishing Fanad Lighthouse and opening it for tourism, we approached the local community for their input. "From the very start the community embraced the idea and began to organise themselves to take on the community enterprise project that you see here today. A huge partnership of public and private sector partners came together and worked as a team to invest in and to develop this fabulous lighthouse visitor experience which gives people the opportunity to see and stay in a working lighthouse and to contribute to the preservation of our rich maritime heritage on the wild Atlantic way.
Fanad Head Lighthouse is also part of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland initiative and is a Signature Discovery Point along the Wild Atlantic Way. The official opening also marked the start of a weekend of festive events held at different Lighthouses all around the coast, in the inaugural Lighthouse Festival. Great Lighthouses of Ireland, is a new all-island tourism initiative, developed by Irish Lights, the General Lighthouse Authority for the island of Ireland.
Featuring 12 lighthouses in breathtaking coastal locations, Great Lighthouses of Ireland offers visitors from home and abroad the chance to visit or stay in a lighthouse, to find out about their history, to appreciate the spectacular natural world around them, to discover the technology at work in lighthouses today and to meet the people who are passionate about these unique places.
LIGHTHOUSES OF IRELAND 21
Fanad Head Lighthouse, County Donegal (image, Andy McInroy)
Irish Lights, is a maritime organisation delivering an essential safety service around the coast of Ireland, protecting the marine environment, and supporting the marine industry and coastal communities.
In
supporting Great Lighthouses of Ireland, Irish Lights is committed to the development of a sustainable economic model and the reinvention of individual lighthouses as visitor attractions and unique self- catering accommodation that contribute to local communities.
Today, Irish Lights operates 66 automated lighthouses around the coast of Ireland, all of which continue to play a vital role in maritime safety. For more information go to
www.irishlights.ie Irish Lights’ Mission is to provide Aids to Navigation and Allied Services for the Safety of Persons and Infrastructure at Sea, to protect the Marine Environment and to support the Marine
Industry and Coastal Communities.
The Great Lighthouses of Ireland project has been funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA cross border programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes body (SEPUB)
The 12 Great Lighthouses of Ireland Listed: St John’s Point, Co Donegal Fanad Head, Co Donegal Rathlin West Light, Co Antrim Blackhead, Co Antrim St John’s Point, Co Down Wicklow Head, Co Wicklow Hook Head, Co Wexford Ballycotton, Co Cork Galley Head, Co Cork Valentia Island, Co Kerry Loop Head, Co Clare Clare Island, Co Mayo
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