Baily Lighthouse

The Baily Lighthouse, located on the charming Howth Head on the northeastern outskirts of Dublin, represents an important testament to Irish maritime history. This lighthouse, perched on a steep cliff with a panoramic view of Dublin Bay, is an extraordinary example of how engineering and nature can blend to create a symbol of safety and beauty. The history of the Baily Lighthouse dates back to 1667, when Sir Robert Reading built the first lighthouse on the site, a modest cottage with a square tower topped by a coal brazier. This first lighthouse, initially fueled by peat and later by coal, was the starting point for what would become one of Ireland’s most iconic lighthouses. The brazier was visible from afar, but the frequent fogs in the area limited its effectiveness. In 1790, Thomas Rogers, a renowned engineer and lighthouse inspector, made significant improvements to the lighthouse by installing six Argand oil lamps, each equipped with a silvered copper parabolic reflector. This lighting system, innovative for its time, greatly improved the lighthouse’s visibility. However, the elevated position of the lighthouse often made it vulnerable to thick fogs, reducing its effectiveness. To solve this problem, in 1811 the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin recommended moving the lighthouse lower, to a prominence known as Little Baily or Duncriffan Point. The new lighthouse, designed by George Halpin Senior and completed in 1814, was built of cut granite and painted white, although in 1910 it was restored to the natural color of the granite. This lighthouse, situated 41 meters above high tide level, used a fixed white catoptric light composed of twenty-four Argand oil lamps and reflectors. Over the years, the Baily Lighthouse has undergone numerous technological innovations. One of the most significant was the introduction of gas lighting by John Wigham in 1865. Wigham replaced the oil lamps with concentric rings of gas jets, creating a much more powerful light. In 1872, the lighthouse’s luminous power was increased to 9,000 candles, and subsequently, in 1901, it reached 1,000,000 candles, making the light beam visible up to 27 nautical miles. The lighthouse also has a rich history of maritime tragedies. One of the most notable occurred on August 3, 1846, when the paddle steamer Prince of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company crashed against the cliffs near the lighthouse due to fog. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but this incident highlighted the need to improve fog signals. Consequently, a fog bell was installed, which in 1871 was replaced by a compressed air siren and, in 1926, by a type G diaphone. Today, the Baily Lighthouse is fully automated and continues to play a crucial role in maritime safety. Despite modernization, the lighthouse retains many of its historical features, making it a fascinating place to visit. Its granite tower and breathtaking view of Dublin Bay attract visitors from all over the world, who can appreciate both the natural beauty of the location and the historical significance of the lighthouse.