The sun rises over the Poolbeg Lighthouse on the Great South Wall, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan Pamela Steward of the Irish Landmark Trust inside Blackhead Lighthouse on the east coast of Co Antrim in Northern Ireland. Photograph: Paul Faith Fanad Lighthouse and the surrounding area in north Co Donegal. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien Phil Lawlor of Irish Lights inside Blackhead Lighthouse on the east coast of Co Antrim Photograph: Paul Faith Gerry Sweeney, assistant attendant lighhouse keeper, with his son Fergus (Blacksod lighthouse tour guide) and brother Vincent, (attendant lighhouse keeper) at Blacksod lighthouse situated on the southern end of the Mullet Peninsula, Erris, Co Mayo. Photo: Michael McLaughlin Irish Times writer Frank McNally during his stay at Wicklow Head Lighthouse, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Hook Head Lighthouse in Co Wexford. Photograph: Getty Images View north from the grounds of Fanad Lighthouse towards Malin Head in Co Donegal. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien St John's Point Lighthouse, Co Donegal. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw View from Wicklow Head Lighthouse, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw People walk the cliff path beside Blackhead Lighthouse on the east coast of Co Antrim. Photograph: Paul Faith Tourists make their way towards Ballycotton Lighthouse in east Cork. Photograph: Bryan O Brien View from the interior of Ballycotton Lighthouse in east Cork. Photograph: Bryan O Brien Baily Lighthouse on Howth headland in Co Dublin. Photograph: Thomas Faull/Getty Images The sun begins to rise behind the island in Ballycoton Bay, Co Cork. Photograph: David Creedon Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phoneJoin The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to dateListen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis