Survey Data

Reg No

22903904


Rating

Regional


Categories of Special Interest

Architectural, Historical, Social, Technical


Original Use

Lighthouse


In Use As

Lighthouse


Date

1850 - 1855


Coordinates

228458, 82318


Date Recorded

05/01/2004


Date Updated

--/--/--


Description

Freestanding single-bay four-stage lighthouse, built 1851, on a circular plan retaining original aspect comprising tapered shaft with single-bay single-stage glazed lantern over. Converted to electricity, 1964. Painted copper-clad dome to lantern on moulded course with finial to apex. Painted tooled granite ashlar walls to tower with moulded corbels to top stage supporting platform having wrought iron profiled railings. Unpainted granite ashlar walls to lantern. Square-headed door opening with painted tooled cut-granite block-and-start surround having timber panelled door. Square-headed window openings with cut-stone sills, painted tooled cut-granite block-and-start surrounds, and 8/8 timber sash windows. Square-headed opening to lantern with fixed-pane iron window. Set back from road on Mionn Ard [Mine Head] overlooking Atlantic Ocean with random rubble stone boundary wall to enclosure having rendered coping. (ii) Detached single-bay single-storey mono-pitched rubble stone outbuilding, built 1851, to south-east. Reroofed, c.1950. Mono-pitched roof with replacement corrugated-asbestos, c.1950, rendered coping, and no rainwater goods on timber eaves. Limewashed random rubble stone walls. Square-headed slit-style window openings with no fittings. Square-headed door opening with timber boarded door. (iii) Detached single-bay single-storey flat-roofed rubble stone outbuilding, built 1851, to south. Flat roof not visible behind parapet. Broken coursed squared red sandstone walls with cut-stone coping to parapet having raised section to centre. Square-headed door opening with tongue-and-groove timber panelled door. (iv) Detached two-bay single-storey gabled-fronted rubble stone outbuilding (boathouse), built 1851, with square-headed carriageway. Pitched (gable-fronted) slate roof with clay ridge tiles, rendered coping, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Random rubble stone walls. Camber-headed window opening with stone sills, red brick block-and-start surround, and painted 8/8 timber sash window. Square-headed carriageway with red brick block-and-start surround, and timber boarded double doors.

Appraisal

An elegantly-composed lighthouse, built by the Commissioners of Irish lights to designs prepared by George Halpin (c.1775 - 1854), which forms a dramatic landmark on Mionn Ard [Mine Head]. The lighthouse is of particular importance for its associations with the maritime industry that has traditionally supported much of the economy of Port Láirge [County Waterford]. The construction of the shaft attests to high quality stone masonry, which is particularly evident in the fine tooled detailing, while the lantern is of technical interest. Very well maintained, the lighthouse retains its original form and fabric. A collection of related outbuildings (including 22903905 – 6/WD-39-05 – 6), each of which retains most of its original character, enhances the group value of the site.