The Baily Lighthouse sits on the southeastern tip of Howth Head (53°21′41.6″N, 6°03′08.8″W) and marks the northeast entrance to Dublin Bay. As an active Aid to Navigation in the busiest bay in the country, it plays an important role in keeping ships and seafarers safe. The light itself is provided by an LED, which is always on, in a large rotating glass structure known as a Fresnel Lens. It also provides a visual reference point, or “daymark” during the day, and modern electronic Aids to Navigation, including AIS (Automatic Identification System) technology to help vessels navigate the busy waters around Dublin Bay.
A capital project is underway, which is expected to take 6 months, to ensure the current aids to navigation at this site continue to work well and remain reliable for the future. This project focuses on engineering upgrades, as well as modernising equipment, improving energy efficiency, and reducing reliance on diesel power generation.
What’s Happening?
Over the next two years, the following improvements will be made at Baily Lighthouse:
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The rotating heritage lens and its familiar white flash pattern every 15 seconds will look exactly the same when the project is complete, keeping the lighthouse’s traditional appearance and operation as the currently are.
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The main low-energy LED light system inside the lens will be refurbished, and new full-range emergency lights (18 nautical miles) will replace the older reduced-range back up lights.
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A new modern control cabinet will automatically switch to emergency lights if the main light or rotation system fails.
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The diesel generator will be removed. Instead, new battery backup systems will be installed, eliminating diesel fuel use for the navigation system.
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Ventilation, heating and general building protection will be reviewed and upgraded to help preserve the lighthouse structure and reduce ongoing maintenance.
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Electrical systems will be rewired and upgraded, including DC and AC power systems. The lightning protection system will also be improved.
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The current telemetry system, which is used to monitor the operation of the aid to navigation system, is reaching end-of-life, and will be replaced by a modern system for increased reliability. The existing AIS base station will remain.
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Some equipment will be reduced in size to make room for future upgrades and easier maintenance.
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Extra works will ensure the site remains safe for maintenance crews and operates more efficiently.
Temporary Change to the Lighthouse Light
During these upgrade works, the Baily Lighthouse will temporarily operate as a flashing light instead of its usual rotating light. This temporary change is necessary while refurbishment works are carried out on the rotating lens system. These temporary flashing lights will be the back-ups for the main light into the future.
This flashing light will remain in place for approximately six months, after which the original rotating light will be fully restored and returned to normal operation. The temporary light will continue to meet safety and visibility requirements throughout this period, ensuring safe navigation for all vessels in Dublin Bay. A Notice to Mariners has been issued to this effect, details below.
