Eagle Island Lighthouse, County Mayo, West of Ireland
Eagle Island is a 22 acre rock outcrop which rises a sheer 200 feet from the storm tossed Atlantic ocean.
The two lighthouses on Eagle Island were switched on in September 1835. Because of its close proximity to the continental shelf Eagle Island experiences unusually large waves and over the years the lanterns were regularly damaged by waves and water-borne rocks
The lighthouses were located in the east and in the west of Eagle Island (Oileán san Tuaidh) with 132 yards between them. The lights were aligned at a height of 220 feet above sea level and could be seen to the east as far as Broadhaven Bay and to the south as far as Blacksod Bay.
One of the lighthouses stopped functioning after it was damaged beyond repair by a storm in 1894, but the powerful beacon of the second lighthouse continued to warn and guide ships navigating the waters off the treacherous North Mayo coastline.
After almost 200 years of guiding mariners to safety, the lantern room and domed roof of the lighthouse tower had reached the end of their working life. The old lighthouse dome, the lantern room, the large glass lens and the bath of mercury in which the lens rotated were all removed. They were replaced with a stainless steel structure designed to withstand the aggressive and relentless marine environment.
Eagle Island Lighthouse, County Mayo, West of Ireland
Eagle Island is a 22 acre rock outcrop which rises a sheer 200 feet from the storm tossed Atlantic ocean.
The two lighthouses on Eagle Island were switched on in September 1835. Because of its close proximity to the continental shelf Eagle Island experiences unusually large waves and over the years the lanterns were regularly damaged by waves and water-borne rocks
The lighthouses were located in the east and in the west of Eagle Island (Oileán san Tuaidh) with 132 yards between them. The lights were aligned at a height of 220 feet above sea level and could be seen to the east as far as Broadhaven Bay and to the south as far as Blacksod Bay.
One of the lighthouses stopped functioning after it was damaged beyond repair by a storm in 1894, but the powerful beacon of the second lighthouse continued to warn and guide ships navigating the waters off the treacherous North Mayo coastline.
After almost 200 years of guiding mariners to safety, the lantern room and domed roof of the lighthouse tower had reached the end of their working life. The old lighthouse dome, the lantern room, the large glass lens and the bath of mercury in which the lens rotated were all removed. They were replaced with a stainless steel structure designed to withstand the aggressive and relentless marine environment.