Lighthouse opens to the public

Loop Head Lighthouse was officially opened to the public on Monday for the first time in its 341-year history.
Clare County Council has opened the doors to the 19th century building as part of a trial visitor scheme that will continue until the end of August. The 23m-high lighthouse will be managed by Stephen Rowan, while up to six people will be employed there.
The first lighthouse on Loop Head was one of four known Irish stone-vaulted cottage-type lights built about 1670. These cottages accommodated the lightkeeper and his family in two or three rooms and had an internal stone stairway between two of the rooms leading up to a platform on the roof where a coal-burning brazier or chauffer was positioned. Part of the old cottage, with its battered outside wall, can still be seen near the lightkeeper’s dwelling.
Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes, welcomed the opening of the lighthouse to members of the public, which he said would contribute greatly to the overall tourism experience in the wider west Clare area.
“The opening of this historic landmark to the public will help attract even greater numbers of people to the Loop Head Peninsula, which is not only one of the most scenic locations in Ireland but is also steeped in maritime heritage. Clare County Council looks forward to supporting the development of this wonderful, unique tourism asset,” he said.
The existing tower-style lighthouse was constructed in 1854 and was operated and maintained by a keeper who lived within the lighthouse compound. In January 1991, the lighthouse was converted to automatic operation and today is in the care of an attendant and is also monitored by the Commissioners of Irish Lights from a base in Dún Laoghaire.
“This trial will enable us to establish valuable information on visitor patterns in the area and the view of the public on further expansion of the tourist offering at Loop Head,” Ger Dollard, director of services, Clare County Council, commented. “In the autumn, we will be continuing to work with our partners in Shannon Development and Loop Head tourism to arrive at a consensus on the future development of the tourism product. Clare County Council would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance and co-operation of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in progressing this exciting tourism initiative,” he added.
The lighthouse will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm seven days a week. Visitors will have the opportunity to be guided to the top of the lighthouse to take in the magnificent views from the balcony.
For more information, visit www.loophead.ie or www.clare.ie.