Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tours

Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tours take visitors out to a working lighthouse set on an uninhabited island off the fishing village of Ballycotton, on the coast of East Cork in County Cork. Run by Ballycotton Sea Adventures, the tour begins at Ballycotton Pier, from where a small passenger boat makes the short crossing to the island. The full round trip lasts roughly ninety minutes, with time ashore to walk up to the lighthouse and take in the views.

The lighthouse itself is one of Ireland’s more unusual, being one of only two painted black. It was built in the late 1840s and first lit in 1851, prompted by the loss of the steamship Sirius nearby in 1847. Keepers and their families lived on the island until 1896, after which the light was tended from the mainland; it was electrified in 1975 and fully automated in 1992. The lighthouse remains in service under the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

On the island, guides lead visitors along the old light-keepers’ path to the summit, past the island’s wild flora and fauna and its resident goats, up to the lighthouse and its lantern balcony. The setting is rugged and unspoilt, and the walk calls for a reasonable degree of agility. For that reason the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, pets or very young children.

Tours run seasonally through the warmer months and by advance booking only, and sailings depend on the weather and sea conditions. It is worth checking availability and booking ahead directly with the operator before travelling.