How did Loop Head get its name?
Michael Brennan, in his poem on the Shannon in 1794, and Theophilus O’Flanagan (famed for his wonderful version of the ogham inscription on Mount Callan), allege that Loop Head got its name because Cuchullin leaped from it into Kerry.
When was Loop Head lighthouse built?
There has been a lighthouse at Loop Head since 1670. Originally, it was a coal burning brazier on a platform on the roof of the cottage lighthouse where the lightkeeper lived. You can still see part of the old cottage on the site. The first ‘tower’ lighthouse was built in 1802 and replaced with a new tower in 1854.
How many lighthouses are in Ireland?
There are twelve lighthouses in Great Lighthouses of Ireland and seventy in total still playing a vital role in maritime safety around the coast of the island today. The body responsible for all these lighthouses is the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
What is the Burren in Ireland?
The Burren (/ˈbʌrən/; Irish: Boirinn, meaning ‘rocky district’) is a karst/glaciokarst landscape in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It measures between 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi) and 560 square kilometres (220 sq mi), within the circle made by the villages of Lisdoonvarna, Corofin, Gort and Kinvara.
What is the oldest lighthouse in Ireland?
Hook Lighthouse
Explore the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. Voted one of Ireland’s favourite attractions, Hook Lighthouse in Wexford is truly one of a kind. Purpose built 800 years ago by Knight William Marshal, take a step back in time and enjoy a guided tour hearing tales of medieval times and life as a light keeper.
Why was Hook Head lighthouse built?
The existing tower dates from the 12th century, though tradition states that Dubhán, a missionary to the Wexford area, established a form of beacon as early as the 5th century. The headland is known in Irish as Rinn Dubháin, St. Dubhán’s Head.
What is the historical significance of the Burren?
Medieval Period. The agricultural significance of the Burren in Medieval times is clearly reflected in the fact that over twenty tower houses are found in the region (and fifty others in the adjoining baronies of Corcomroe and Inchiquin), several of which feature walled ‘bawns’ built to protect livestock.
What is special about the Burren?
The Burren is renowned for its remarkable assemblage of plants and animals, and over 70% of Ireland’s species of flowers are found there. The region supports Arctic–alpine and Mediterranean Basin plants side-by-side, due to the unusual environment.
When was the first lighthouse built?
280 BC
The first lighthouse in recorded history was Egypt’s Pharos of Alexandria. Built around 280 BC, the source of light was a huge open fire at its summit. As well as being the world’s first, it was also the tallest one ever built, standing a colossal 450 feet high.
What is the oldest lighthouse still standing today?
Hook Lighthouse, Co Wexford Hook Lighthouse is claimed to be the oldest still-operational lighthouse in the world. This iconic and unique monument was constructed by the powerful medieval magnate William Marshall in the early thirteenth century, thought to be some time between 1210–1230.
How did Hook Lighthouse get its name?
Rich In History The headland became known as Rinn Dubháin (Dubhán’s headland). Although Dubhán is also the Irish word for fishing hook, it is likely that the headland got its present name from the old English word Hook, meaning a projecting piece of land.
Who built Hook Head lighthouse?
William Marshal
A quick history William Marshal, a Knights Templar, known as the Greatest Knight, built the lighthouse tower to protect and develop the shipping trade, which was so important in the 13th century.
What is the history of Loophead lighthouse?
The first lighthouse on Loophead was one of four known Irish stone vaulted cottage type lights built about 1670. These cottages accommodated the lightkeeper and his family in two or three rooms and had an internal stone stairway between two of the rooms leading up to a platform on the roof where a coal burning brazier or chauffer was positioned.
What is LoopLoop Head Lighthouse in Clare famous for?
Loop Head Lighthouse is one of west Clare’s most impressive sights. The historic lighthouse stands right on the end of the Loop Head Peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A trip out to the lighthouse offers views across to Kerry Head and Dingle and up to the Cliffs of Moher to the north.
What to do at Loop Head Lighthouse?
Uncover the fascinating history of Loop Head lighthouse with interactive exhibits in the Lightkeeper’s Cottage, or take a guided tour up the lighthouse tower and onto the balcony. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy fantastic views south as far as the Blasket Islands and north to the Twelve Pins in Connemara, along the Wild Atlantic Way .
When were the first lighthouses built?
The first ‘tower’ lighthouse was built in 1802 and replaced with a new tower in 1854. In 1869 its light changed from being fixed to flashing. Its ‘character’ is a white light flashing 4 times every 20 seconds.