Ireland Aim to Lead World in Maritime Tourism

Lighthouse tourism experts meet on Valentia Island this week to plan on turning Ireland into a world-class maritime tourism destination. The Great Lighthouses of Ireland (GLI) annual gathering, which opens in Co Kerry today, will unveil a new 5-year strategy to reach this goal.

Celebrating 120 Years of Fastnet Lighthouse

One of Ireland’s best known and most iconic lighthouses, the granite tower of Fastnet Lighthouse off the Cork coast is 120 years old today.

Inishtearaght and Skellig Michael lighthouses in Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara

24th April 2024: As Ireland proudly unveils Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ireland’s inaugural marine National Park, Irish Lights is delighted to announce the inclusion of Inishtearaght and Skellig Michael lighthouses, which have been in operation since the early 1800’s.

Lighthouse Stays Up 60% Post-Covid

Overnight stays in lighthouses across the island have risen by 60% since 2019, according to the Great Lighthouses of Ireland tourism initiative. In total, over 622,000 people visited lighthouses and lighthouse tourism experiences last year.

Irish Lights and BIM partner on Innovative Training Course for Local Lighthouse Authorities

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (Irish Lights) has announced the launch of an online, focused training course on the provision of marine aids to navigation which is designed specifically for Local Lighthouse Authorities in collaboration with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency.

Irish Lights Introduces Cutting-Edge Local Aids to Navigation Portal to Enhance Maritime Safety

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (Irish Lights) has announced the launch of its new Local Aids to Navigation Management Portal for use by ports, harbours, Local Authorities and other bodies who manage aids to navigation at a local level.

New convention to strengthen Ireland's international role in maritime safety and marine aids to navigation

Ireland has ratified the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation which will support safe and efficient navigation around our coasts. As shipping and offshore activity continues to grow, the Convention will enable collaboration and development of consistent standards and practises at international level.

Maritime Experts Gather in Dublin for Global Conference

Over 280 maritime experts from Ireland, Europe, Asia and Canada gather in Dublin Castle on 15th and 16th November, for a 2-day conference organised by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

Stories that help shine a light and make hospital a happier place for children

Irish Lights Celebrates National Services Day

Tri-GLA Decision to Discontinue DGPS in 2022

Become A Young Storykeeper

Young Storykeepers from around Ireland submitted their lighthouse-inspired stories - Volume 1 is available now.

Irish Lights Welcomes The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

New works on Rathlin East, Rathlin West and Rue Point to modernise and improve key lighthouses

As part of the Commissioners of Irish Lights’ remit to ensure aids to navigation meet international standards, and to improve energy efficiency and the environmental footprint at its sites, structural and improvement works are planned for Rathlin East Lighthouse, Rathlin West Lighthouse and Rue Point Lighthouse, Co. Antrim.

Irish Lights Welcomes Marine Aids to Navigation Day 2019

IALA led Marine AtoN Day Celebrated Worldwide

The Princess Royal Visits Irish Lights

Aids to Navigation Review

AtoN Review

Great Lighthouses of Ireland RTE Documentary Announced

Irish Lights has announced its involvement in a four-part documentary series with RTE 1 that tells the story of Ireland’s lighthouses.

‘Great Lighthouse, Great Fun’ Photography Competition

‘Great Lighthouse, Great Fun’ Photography Competition The sun is shining and we have a winner!

Safe Seas - Connected Coasts Irish Lights Strategy 2018 - 2023

Safe Seas - Connected Coasts Irish Lights Strategy 2018 - 2023

THE GREAT LIGHT AND TITANIC WALKWAY OFFICIALLY OPEN TO PUBLIC

Belfast’s offering as a maritime heritage destination has been given a major boost today as two iconic attractions – the Great Light and Titanic Walkway – officially opened to the public in Titanic Quarter.

Minister Shane Ross TD Visits Irish Lights Headquarters

Stamp of Approval for Irish Lights

An Post has issued four new stamps honouring Irish Lights.

Commissioners of Irish Lights Exhibition Launch, Granuaile Tours and Media Briefing at Seafest Galway 2016

Commissioners of Irish Lights Exhibition Launch, Granuaile Tours and Media Briefing at Seafest 2016

Great Lighthouses of Ireland - Shine a Light on Summer - May Bank Holiday festivals

Great Lighthouses of Ireland - Shine a Light on Summer - May Bank Holiday festivals

Carbon Trust launches ground breaking technology

The Carbon Trust today announces the start of the world’s largest trial of scanning Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology which is taking place in Dublin Bay, Ireland. This is the latest Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) project designed to help reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind.

Innovation in Maritime Navigation

General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the UK and Ireland will hold an event to explore the mix of technologies for future maritime navigation in 2030 and beyond, and identify potential complements to GNSS

Golden Birthday for Dublin Bay Sentinel

President Michael D. Higgins visits Irish Lights today to join with the Board and staff to say Happy Birthday as the Kish Lighthouse celebrates 50 years of service on the 9th November 2015.

Press Release - Great Lighthouses of Ireland

Featuring twelve lighthouses in stunning coastal locations Great Lighthouses of Ireland will offer unforgettable experiences and create a deep appreciation of the role of lighthouses, past and present, and in the maritime and seafaring story of the island of Ireland.

AtoN Navigation Review 2015-2020

International Peer Review Confirms Aids to Navigation Requirements for the Irish Coast to 2015-2020

Changes to Light Dues and Funding for Marine Aids to Navigation in the Republic of Ireland

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe TD and his UK counterpart, Minister John Hayes MP have announced they have reached an agreement for light dues paid by ships coming into ports in Ireland and the United Kingdom from April 2015.

Challenging £13Million Lighthouse Helicopter Contract Awarded For Ireland and UK

The Commissioners of Irish Lights together with its sister lighthouse authorities in the UK (Trinity House and Northern Lighthouse Board) have announced a £13M seven-year contract to PDG Helicopters for the provision of helicopter services to cover all three Authorities. Announcement made by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe.

Cork Dockyard win Major Contract from Irish Lights

Cork Dockyard Ltd. has won the contract for the 15 year Special Survey and Drydock of the Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel Granuaile following a competitive EU tender.

CIL establish first permanent Virtual AtoN charted in Irish Waters

The port hand Virtual Aid to Navigation was established at the entrance to Belfast Lough on the North East Coast of Ireland.

Ardnakinna Lighthouse on Bere Island exhibits new LED light

The Commissioners of Irish Lights have unveiled a new LED light at Ardnakinna lighthouse on Bere Island, Co. Cork on Wednesday 18th June 2014.

CIL request Mariners to report defects to Aids to Navigation

Aid to Navigation buoy deployed to mark the Lucifer Bank on the South East Coast of Ireland severly damaged and unreported.

Robert McCabe, Director in Irish Lights appointed President of the Nautical Institute

Captain Robert McCabe, Director of Operations and Navigational Services for the Commissioners of Irish Lights is elected President of the Nautical Institute.

Inisheer Lighthouse exhibits new LED Light

The Commissioners of Irish Lights have unveiled a new light emitting diode (LED) light at Inisheer lighthouse on Wednesday 21st May 2014.

CIL require feedback for 2015 Aids to Navigation Review

The GLAs are undertaking a review of aids to navigation provision around the coasts of Ireland and Great Britain during 2014 and Irish Lights require feedback from all users of marine Aids to Navigation.

CIL safeguard Irish Coastline over the Holiday Season

Irish Lights stands ready to respond to any marine emergency in Irish Waters over Christmas period.

CIL finalists at 2013 SEAI Awards

The Commissioners of Irish Lights , the General Lighthouse Authority for Ireland was a finalist in the Environment category at the 2013 annual SEAI’s Sustainable Energy Awards held last night at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

CIL Eagle Island Consolidation Project

A challenging lighthouse redevelopment project has been completed on one of the most testing sites on the Irish Atlantic coast.

CIL win at EnviroCom Awards

The Commissioners of Irish Lights , the General Lighthouse Authority for all of Ireland last night scooped the prestigious award for Environmental Innovation at the 2013 annual EnviroCom Awards held yesterday, 16th October.

All Island Lighthouse Trail Launch

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment Arlene Foster have announced that Irish Lighthouses will be the focus of a new all-island, European Union INTERREG IVA funded €2.5million tourism and job creation project.