Straw Island Lighthouse

Straw Island Lighthouse is an active aid to navigation located on an islet in Killeany Bay, northeast of Inishmore in County Galway, Ireland. Completed in 1878, it was the last of four lighthouses built on the Aran Islands in the 19th century. The lighthouse is an important feature for safe passage into Killeany Bay and the harbour at Kilronan.

The lighthouse stands at a height of 11 meters and has a focal height of 11 meters. It has a range of 15 nautical miles and emits a light with a characteristic of Fl(2) W 5s. The light source and lens type are not specified. The lighthouse is managed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and is listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

Straw Island Lighthouse has an interesting history, particularly in the context of the Aran Islands' lighthouse development. The first lighthouse on the islands was built in 1818 on Inishmore, but it proved to be poorly positioned. Requests to relocate the light were initially ignored, but the Galway Harbour Commissioners eventually convinced the Board to construct a new lighthouse at the north-west end of the islands, leading to the construction of Straw Island Lighthouse in 1878.

Light and tower

It lies on the North Atlantic. The light has a focal height of 11 metres. The light has a range of 15 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl(2) W 5s. It was first lit in 1878. It was automated in 1926. It is managed by Commissioners of Irish Lights.