Ardnakinna Lighthouse, Bere Island

Ardnakinna lighthouse overlooks the entrance to Berehaven sound and guards the western entrance to Castletownbere. Far below, fishing boats pass and the broad Atlantic stretches off into the distance.

Ardnakinna was established in 1850 as an unlit beacon and was left in the care of a local keeper. He remained until 1863 when the tower was capped and his services were dispensed with.

Thus it remained until pressure from mariners using Castletownbere harbor convinced the commissioners that a light at Ardnakinna would be advantageous. Work on converting the beacon into a Lighthouse commenced in 1964. As the existing beacon had been constructed as a lighthouse tower, rising to over 15 metres high at the balcony and including an intermediate floor, all that was required was a lantern to top it off. An ex-light vessel lantern was sourced, modified and mounted on a concrete platform. The light was established on 23rd November 1965 with a character of two white and two red flashes every ten seconds.

Location:   51°37.104′ North, 09°55.092′ West.

Elevation:  62 m

Character: Fl (2) WR 10s

Range:        White 32 km, Red 26 k