Haulbowline Lighthouse

The Haulbowline Lighthouse is a 19th-century lighthouse located at the entrance to Carlingford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. It was built in 1824 on the eastern part of the Haulbowline rocks, a navigation hazard at the seaward end of the lough. The lighthouse is an elegant, tapering stone tower standing 34 meters high and displays a principal light 32 meters above sea level as a constant white light. The tower was originally white in color but was unpainted after 1946 to reveal the stone beneath.

The lighthouse was designed by George Halpin to mark the rocks and indicate the depth of water over the bar at the mouth of the lough, as well as serving as a landfall light for ships entering from the Irish Sea. It is associated with the leading lights at Green Island and Vidal Bank, which mark the safe channel along Carlingford Lough. The light's characteristic changed in 1899 from a fixed light to a pattern of three flashes of white light in 10 seconds.

The lighthouse has a rich history, having been completed in 1824 after complaints about the inadequacy of the shore-based Cranfield Point Lighthouse. It has been in operation since its construction and has undergone several changes, including the removal of its paint in 1946. Today, the Haulbowline Lighthouse is an active aid to navigation and is managed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. It has been designated as a Northern Ireland Grade B+ listed building since 2002.

Light and tower

It lies on the Irish Sea. It has a tapered tower. Its daymark is unpainted tower, white lantern. The light has a focal height of 32 metres. The light has a range of 10 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl (3) W 10s. It carries a PRB22 lens. It was automated in 1965. It is managed by Commissioners of Irish Lights.

Videos

The Haulbowline Lighthouse at Cranfield

Hidden Beauty of Haulbowline: Inside the Stone Tower