Mew Island Lighthouse

The Mew Island Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, within the Copeland Islands. The current 19th-century tower, which stands at a height of 37 meters, is the most recent in a series of lighthouses that have been built in the islands to guide shipping around the archipelago and into Belfast Lough. The lighthouse was automated in 1996 and is currently managed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The Mew Island Lighthouse has a rich history, with the earliest lighthouse in the Copeland Islands built on Lighthouse Island in 1711. Over the years, the lighthouse has undergone several improvements, including the addition of a glazed lantern room in 1796 and a new tower in 1815. In 2015, the Commissioners of Irish Lights replaced the traditional optic with a flashing LED system powered by solar energy. The old optic is now on display in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast as a visitor attraction known as The Great Light.

The Mew Island Lighthouse has played an important role in maritime safety, and its location has been the site of several shipwrecks due to the strong tidal currents surrounding the islands. With a range of 18 nautical miles, the lighthouse continues to guide shipping safely into Belfast Lough.

Light and tower

It lies on the North Channel. The light has a focal height of 37 metres. The light has a range of 24 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is F.Fl(4) W 30s. It was first lit in 1884. It was automated in 1996. It is managed by Commissioners of Irish Lights.