Galley Head Lighthouse facts for kids
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| Galley Head Lighthouse | |
| Coordinates | 51°31′46.9″N 8°57′08.8″W / 51.529694°N 8.952444°W |
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| Year first constructed | 1868 |
| Year first lit | 1878 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern rail |
| Height | 21 metres (69 ft) |
| Focal height | 53 metres (174 ft) |
| Range | 23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (5) W 20s |
| Admiralty number | A5708 |
| NGA number | 6332 |
| Ireland number | CIL-0160 |
The Galley Head Lighthouse is an active lighthouse built in the 1800s. You can find it near Rosscarbery, in County Cork, on the south coast of Ireland.
This famous lighthouse stands on a piece of land called Galley Head. It's about 133 feet (40 meters) above the sea. From here, you can see St George's Channel and two pretty beaches: Red Strand and Long Strand. This headland used to be cut off from the main land by old walls from a Norman fort called Dun Deidi.
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History of Galley Head Lighthouse
The main buildings of the lighthouse were finished in 1875. However, the light didn't start working until 1878. When it first opened, the light flashed white six or seven times every minute. This was very powerful for its time!
The lighthouse was built during a busy period for lighthouse construction in Ireland. It was one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe, along with the Fastnet Lighthouse.
Why the Light Shines Inland
The Galley Head Lighthouse has a special feature: its light also shines towards the land. This is quite unusual for a lighthouse. It's said that the Sultan of Turkey asked for this. He wanted to see the light from Castle Freke, a nearby castle, when he visited. Castle Freke is now an old ruin that you can see from Galley Head.
Stay at the Lighthouse Keepers' Homes
The two houses where the lighthouse keepers used to live have been restored. Now, you can rent them for holidays! The Irish Landmark Trust offers these unique places to stay.
Each house can sleep 4 to 6 people. They are connected by an inside door, so larger groups can rent both. Each house has a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, a fold-down sofa bed, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. Both houses also have their own walled gardens.
Galley Head in Media
The Galley Head Lighthouse has even appeared in music videos! It was featured in the video for "To The Lighthouse" by British singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf.
