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Rathlin West Lighthouse
United Kingdom
The lighthouse was built into the cliff face between 1912 and 1917. It is known as Northern Islands only "upside down" lighthouse. A special pier and an inclined railway from the pier to the cliff top had to be built to facilitate the lighthouse’s construction.
The light was first exhibited in 1919. Lightkeepers lived in the lighthouse until it was automated in 1983. The fog signal Notice to Mariners was approved by the Board in October 1924 and established on 15th July 1925 with four 1.5 second blasts every 60 seconds. The lighthouse’s fog signal, dubbed the ‘Rathlin Bull’, could be heard from more than 30km away.
On 17 April 1982 the diaphone fog signal was replaced by an electric fog signal. In November 1995 the fog signal was permanently discontinued. The site has just gone through maintenance by the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 2021.
| Manufacture Date | 1914 |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Construction | 1912-1917 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Commissioning Body | Trinity House |
| Lens Order | 1st order |
| Lens Type | Revolving |
| Status | publish |
| Light Character | Fl. R 5s |
| Lighthouse Markings | White Tower, Lantern at Base |
| Management Body Ports Authority | Commissioners of Irish Lights |
| Preserver | Commissioners for Irish Lights |
| Coastal Erosion Vulnerability | 1 |
| Open Status (Site) | Open |
| Open Status (Tower) | Open |
| Coordinates | 55.3008176013,-6.2800742432 |
| Other | The Light is situated next to RSPB sanctuary and only visitable with RSPB permission. |