Cromwell Point Lighthouse

Cromwell Point Lighthouse
County Kerry
	Valentia Island
Cromwell Point Lighthouse
Location
Grid reference:	V40427824
Location:	51°56’1"N, 10°19’16"W
Characteristics
Height:	49 feet
Focal height:	52 feet
Range:	17 nautical miles
History
	Built 1913
First lit:	1841
Information
Owned by:	Commissions of Irish Lights

The Cromwell Point Lighthouse stands on Cromwell Point, the north-eastern headland of Valentia Island in County Kerry. It is maintained by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The light marks the headland but also it is a harbour light, to guide vessels through the northern entrance of Valentia Harbour past the hazard of Harbour Rock, and marking the narrow passage between Valentia Island and neighbouring Beginish Island.

History

The headland gets its name from a fort which used to stand here, where the lighthouse now stands: one of two built on the island. The fort here, known as 'Fleetwood Fort', was built at the command of Oliver Cromwell. The outline of the fort with its bastions and barrack inside its wall can still be easily traced from the air, lying just inside the lighthouse enclosure wall.

After the Restoration, entries are found in amongst the State Paper about its repair over the period 1663-1665. It was disestablished finally nine years after the Restoration, 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.

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the lighthouse was staffed by a single keeper, housed with his family on site, however with automation the keeper was withdrawn and a part-time attendant was appointed to look after the station.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Cromwell Point Lighthouse)

References

Lighthouses of the Commissioners of Irish Lights

County Donegal:  Inishowen • Inishtrahull • Fanad • Dunree • Buncrana • Tory Island • Arranmore • Ballagh Rocks • Rathlin O'Birne • Rotten Island • St John's   County Antrim:  Black Head • Chaine Memorial • The Maidens • Rathlin East • Rue Point • Rathlin West   County Down:  Green Island • Vidal Bank • Haulbowline • St John's Point • Angus Rock • Donaghadee • Mew Island   County Louth:  Dundalk   County Dublin:  Muglins • Poolbeg • Kish Bank • Baily • Howth Head • Rockabill   County Wicklow:  Wicklow Head   County Wexford:  Duncannon • Hook Head • Tuskar Rock   County Waterford:  Mine Head • Ballinacourty Point • Dunmore East   County Cork:  Bull Rock • Ardnakinna • Castletown • Roancarrig • Sheep's Head • Mizen Head • Crookhaven • Copper Point • Fastnet Rock • Baltimore Beacon • Galley Head • Old Head of Kinsale • Charles Fort • Roches Point • Ballycotton • Youghal   County Kerry:  Little Samphire Island • Inishtearaght • Cromwell Point • Valentia Rear • Valentia Front • Skelligs   County Clare:  Blackhead • Loop Head • Kilcredaun Head • Corlis Point Front • Corlis Point Rear • Scattery Island   County Galway:  Slyne Head • Cashla Bay • Eeragh • Straw Island • Inisheer   County Mayo:  Broadhaven • Eagle Island • Blacksod • Blacksod Bay • Achillbeg • Inishgort County Sligo:  Blackrock • Lower Rosses Point • Metal Man • Oyster Island