Loop Head Lighthouse to stay open until October

Since Loop Head Lighthouse was opened to the public on July 18, 12,000 people have visited the 341-year-old lighthouse in Kilbaha. Such has been the public interest in visiting the iconic building, Clare County Council has extended what they term “visitor access trial” at Loop Head until Sunday, October 3.
Since the lighthouse opened, visitors have often had to wait for up to an hour, given the visitor numbers.
The short tour involves a small group climbing to the top of the lighthouse and viewing the spectacular vista.
The lighthouse will remain open seven days a week from 10am to 5.30pm throughout the remainder of August and all through September.
This Sunday, an open day will be held from 10am to 4pm of the lighthouse keeper’s house, which is operated by The Irish Landmark Trust. Visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the restored property.
Chairman of the West Clare Task Force, Councillor Oliver Garry, said the decision to keep the lighthouse open to visitors until the first weekend in October is a positive step.
“The Loop Head project has given a major boost to tourism in the area. Businesses have noticed a very positive impact on trade since the trial commenced. This extension will allow the trial to be assessed in the off-peak period and accommodate a number of festivals during September, including the Nell Galvin Traditional Music Festival in Moyasta in early September and the inaugural Che Guvera festival in Kilkee at the end of September,” Councillor Garry said.
“The Loop Head initiative has been extremely successful over a very short period of time. This clearly demonstrates the quality of the Loop Head area as a focal point for tourism. The trial has also generated a number of ideas regarding the future tourist product in the area. We propose to review the success of the initiative in early October and, together with Loop Head Tourism and Shannon Development, develop a wider tourist offering for 2012 and future years,” Ger Dollard, director of services with Clare County Council, commented.