Fastnet Lighthouse

The Fastnet Lighthouse is a 54-meter-tall structure situated on the remote Fastnet Rock in the Atlantic Ocean, off the southwest coast of Ireland. It is the most southerly point of Ireland and lies 6.5 kilometers southwest of Cape Clear Island and 13 kilometers from County Cork on the Irish mainland. The current lighthouse is the second to be built on the rock and is the tallest in Ireland.

The first lighthouse was constructed in 1853 and began operating on January 1, 1854. However, it proved to be too weak, and gales often shook it, causing damage to the structure. Various attempts were made to strengthen the tower, but it was eventually replaced by a new lighthouse in the late 19th century. The new lighthouse was designed by William Douglass and built under the supervision of James Kavanagh, with construction starting in 1897.

The Fastnet Lighthouse has a rich history, partly motivated by the loss of the American sailing packet Stephen Whitney in 1847, which resulted in the death of 92 passengers and crew. The lighthouse has been an essential aid to navigation for ships crossing the Atlantic, and its construction is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of its designers and builders. Today, the Fastnet Lighthouse remains an important landmark and a significant part of Ireland's maritime heritage.

Light and tower

It lies on the Celtic Sea. The light has a focal height of 49 metres. The light has a range of 27 nautical miles.

Videos

Fastnet Rock Lighthouse — Living Where the Atlantic Never Stops

Fastnet Rock | Drone Footage July 2025

Fastnet Rock's Last Lighthouse Keeper

Fastnet Lighthouse: Beacon of Storms and Shadows