Galley Head

Galley Head runs out into the Celtic Sea between Clonakilty and Rosscarbery. Its lighthouse, by the Irish Lights engineer John Swan Sloane, was completed in 1875, first lit in 1878 and, at the time, claimed to have the most powerful light in Europe - visible far out to sea, and reportedly bright enough that a nearby landlord complained the glare disturbed him, which led to the seaward-only arrangement of the lantern. It is still an operating navigation light, automated since 1979. The two former keepers' houses have been restored and are let as holiday accommodation through the Irish Landmark Trust, which is the closest most people get to staying in a lighthouse in Ireland. The headland itself is open, grassy and windswept, with cliff edges that are unfenced, and there are views along the coast to the Seven Heads and out to the Stags rocks.

History

The main buildings were completed in 1875, but the lighthouse did not come into operation until 1878. It stands 133 feet above sea level on the headland of Dundeady, cut off from the mainland by ancient walls, and its first light showed six or seven white flashes within sixteen seconds every minute (Wikipedia, Galley Head Lighthouse).

Highlights

• The 1878 lighthouse - still an operating navigation light.
• The keepers' houses - restored and let as holiday accommodation.
• The headland - open grass and unfenced cliff above the Celtic Sea.
• The coastal view - the Seven Heads and the Stags offshore.

When to go

April to October. The head is fully exposed and unpleasant in wind. Accommodation in the keepers' houses books many months ahead.

Practical notes

The lighthouse tower itself is not open to visitors - it is a working station. Cliff edges are unfenced. The access lane is narrow with few passing places and limited parking at the end.

Nearby

Clonakilty and Inchydoney are north-east; Rosscarbery and Glandore are west.

Key facts