Ireland’s lighthouses are vital to the nation’s survival. As an island nation, almost everything we consume from food, to electronics, fuel and vehicles arrive by sea. Lighthouses aid the safe passage of ships around our dangerous coastal waters. The story begins at Hook Head, a treacherous peninsula known locally as “The graveyard of a thousand ships”. Hook Head is home to a 800-year-old lighthouse: the oldest working lighthouse in the world.

A Nation Surrounded

Feats of Engineering

In the second episode, we discover how Ireland became a world leader in lighthouse engineering. Often working in hostile and treacherous natural locations, Ireland’s lighthouse engineers and builders used great ingenuity to achieve what seemed impossible.

In the third episode, we discover the surprising roles that lighthouse keepers played in both World Wars. As the First World War raged around Ireland’s coast, our lighthouse keepers acted as unofficial coastguards, keeping detailed logs of their observations. In the Second World War an Irish lighthouse keeper played a decisive role in the outcome.  We travel to Blacksod Bay, Co. Mayo where in 1944  lighthouse keeper Ted Sweeney took a weather reading which was to determine the entire timing of the allied invasion on D Day.

Witnesses to History

In the last episode of the series, former lighthouse keeper Richard Foran makes a poignant return trip to the Skelligs lighthouse which was his final posting before the lighthouse was automated. Having worked for Irish Lights for fifty-two years in total, Richard reflects on his time at the Skelligs.  Automation was truly the end of an era for lighthouse keepers – keepers were no longer required and centuries of tradition ended.

A Bright Future

Great Lighthouses of Ireland tells the story of Ireland’s lighthouses and their continuing importance to the country’s survival. For all their romance and mystery, lighthouses remain a vital part of Ireland’s maritime infrastructure.

A Nation Surrounded

Seasons2

Season 1 Episodes4

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Episode Summary