The beauty of Ireland’s lighthouses

At the conclusion of our summer series on the Irish Lighthouses, we present a selection of our favourite photographs showing the beauty of these rugged and remote structures

Eugene O'Sullivan, a former lighthouse keeper, pictured at the Shroove Lighthouse near his home in Greencastle, Co. Donegal. Photo: Joe Dunne
Eugene O'Sullivan, a former lighthouse keeper, pictured at the Shroove Lighthouse near his home in Greencastle, Co. Donegal. Photo: Joe Dunne
The sun rises over the Poolbeg Lighthouse on the Great South Wall, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
St John's Point Lighthouse, Co Donegal. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
View from Wicklow Head Lighthouse, Co Wicklow.  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
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
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
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
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
The sun begins to rise behind the island in Ballycoton Bay, Co Cork. Photograph: David Creedon