Valentia Island Lighthouse...

Valentia Island Lighthouse tours at Cromwell Point is a community initiative delivered by the Valentia Island Development Company in collaboration with Kerry County Council and the Commissioners of Irish Lights with the support of South Kerry Development Partnership.

Valentia lighthouse at Cromwell Point is maintained by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and is a harbour light to guide vessels from the sea and lead them through the northern entrance of Valentia Harbour past Harbour Rock.

The site of the Cromwell Point Lighthouse was originally home to a Cromwell Feetwood Fort believed to have been built in the 16th century which was one of two built on Valentia Island around this time. The outline of the Cromwell Point fort with its bastions and barrack inside its wall can still be easily traced from the air, lying just inside the lighthouse enclosure wall. The fort was maintained after the Restoration and there are various State Paper entries about its repair over the period 1663-1665. It was disestablished in 1669. The first light for Cromwell Point was originally applied for on 30 March 1828 by the Right Honorary Maurice Fitzgerald, Knight of Kerry. Work commenced on the lighthouse ten years later in 1838, the light was first exhibited on 1 February 1841. Since November 1947 the light has been automated.

 

You can visit Valentia Island Lighthouse's webpage at Valentia Island Lighthouse, Valentia, Co. Kerry
Or e-mail them by clicking here

 

Originally the lighthouse was staffed by a single keeper, housed with his family on site, however with automation the keeper was withdrawn and a part-time attendant was appointed to look after the station.

Opening hours: May to September / Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays 12 noon to 6.30 p.m. (Opening hours are subject to weather conditions)

Admission: €5.00 per person. Under 12 yrs €2.50 and family ticket ( 2 adults and 3 children) €15.00