Robert Reading facts for kids

Sir Robert Reading (around 1640 – March 1689) was an important person in Ireland. He was known for building several lighthouses. These lighthouses helped ships find their way safely. He built them with special permission from King Charles II of England.

He went to Christ Church, Oxford university. He finished his studies there in 1658.

Robert Reading became a member of the Irish House of Commons. This was like being a politician in Ireland's parliament. He represented a place called Ratoath from 1662 to 1666. Later, he was removed from his political position.

Around 1662, Robert Reading married Jane Coote. She was already a widow and a countess. They had one daughter named Elizabeth. Elizabeth later married James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn.

In November 1671, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of important scientists. On August 27, 1675, he was given the special title of 1st Baronet Reading of Dublin.

He was buried in Newark, Nottinghamshire, after he passed away.

Lighthouses in Ireland

Sir Robert Reading built several lighthouses in Ireland. These included lighthouses at Howth Head, the Howth bar, the Old Head of Kinsale, Charles Fort, Hook Head and the Isle of Magee.

The lighthouses at Howth bar and the Isle of Magee did not last very long. However, the Isle of Magee light was later rebuilt on the Lesser Copeland Island. All of these early lighthouses used coal fires on their roofs to create light.

In 1704, the lighthouses were taken over by the government. They became public property.