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Irish Lighthouse Tour of Southern Ireland 2019
Irish lighthouse adventures start here
4 places taken, only a few left
June 22nd to June 30th 2019 see bottom of the page
Now into its magnificent 10th year
See the majestic lighthouses of
Ireland's southern coast, and see all the best views along the way. We
show you where they made part of the Star Wars movie 'The Last Jedi',
take you to a chocolate factory, a whiskey distillery, give you a tour
of Beara peninsula and the best part of the Ring of Kerry. You will go
inside the lantern room of three lighthouses, go up the towers and onto
the balcony of 4 others
Due to small numbers allowed at the
lighthouses please make your booking early. Those who book late may have
to sleep in a nearby B&B. When several people wanting single rooms book
on the tour the lighthouses get booked out faster. If you are single and
are happy to share with someone please let me know
(If you would
like to do an add on customised tour to suit your own dates then please
contact me)
This is to express our sincere
gratitude for making our travels on your 2017 Southern Irish Lighthouse
Tour absolutely spectacular! Cherie & John Hancock, Members U.S.
Lighthouse Society
Michigan, USA
Tour Ireland's lighthouses on the Southern
Wild Atlantic Way coast over 8 days on bus and boat, meet the people
who work the lighthouses, go inside lantern rooms, walk the balconies,
learn how the lighthouses work
See Irish lighthouses Inisheer, Loop Head, Kilcredaune, Tarbert, Little Samphire Island, Cromwell Point, Skellig Michael, Bull Rock, Ardnakinna, Roancarrig, Galley Head, Mizen, Crookhaven, Fastnet, Copper Point, Old Head of Kinsale, Charles Fort, Roche's Point, Ballycotton, Youghal, Hook Head, Duncannon North, Dunmore East and Ballinacourty
Galley Head lighthouse lantern,
experience the magic
Birds you are likely to see during
the tour: Puffin, Storm Petrel, Blackheaded Gull, Gannet, Kittiwake,
Aortic Tern, Black Guillemot, Guillemot, Gulls, Fulmar, Herring Gull,
Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Greater Black-backed Gull
Spend two nights at Galley Head
lighthouse, go inside several towers and receive expert knowledge on how
the lighthouses work, and have worked since then they were constructed.
It is a sad fact that in a few years from now this 1st hand knowledge
will not be possible, and majestic revolving lanterns will be a thing of
the past. Many of these fresnel lenses have been replaced by very ugly
l.e.d. beams. Tory in Northern Donegal looks more like an aircraft
coming in to land than a lighthouse beam
Please note some boat trips might not
be possible due to storms. In the case of this happening other
excursions will take place. For instance if the Bull Rock boat trip
doesn't happen, (the rib has been out of actiion for most of 2018), we
will go over to Dursey Island on the cable car and see the Bull rock
from our bus there
You will stay at hand picked
accommodation
Glendine House B&B,
Strand End
House B&B,
Fortfield,
Coulagh Bay
House ,
Foromanes B&B and the
Keeper's Cottage at Galley Head lighthouse
A
very big thank you to you and Tommy again for the fantastic vacation you
gave us. Good luck with your northern tours and I hope everyone enjoys
them
just as much as we did. We really can't express how much your time,
knowledge, and friendly personality's meant to us. My biggest hope for
this
trip was to get a feel of Ireland and you both gave it to me and so much
more. You have a beautiful country and you both gave us a wonderful
glimpse
into your countries past and present. Thank you again and know if you,
Tommy
or his family come this way you are always welcome with us. Take care....Carol
Davis (USA) 2015 tour member
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| a free detailed booklet
especially written for the tour, with pictures, technical information
and things of interest on the
lighthouses put together by WLS members |
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| Puffin at Skellig Michael |
Little Skellig one of the biggest gannet colonies |
We will almost certainly see dolphins, (they are often to be seen at Doolin where we get the Aran Island boat) porpoises and seals, maybe basking sharks
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| Teampall Chaomháin. Church set below ground level on Inisheer |
Dusty the dolphin at Inisheer harbour |
Follow the Wild Atlantic Way from Doolin to
Galley Head then the Sunny South East coast to Hook Head, seeing the magnificent Southern Irish coastline in all her dramatic beauty, the cliffs, the bird life, flowers like Little Samphire which you can try eating
See the lighthouses of Ireland up close and personal. Meet the men who work the lights. Travel through 6 counties, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford and Cork. On the way we will see lots of wildlife, sea birds, old ruins, mountains and beautiful Irish scenery. Lots of boat trips away from the hustle and bustle of city life,
and yes if you see something you want to take a picture of it is no
problem to stop the bus
See the Ring of Kerry and Ring of
Beara
8 day chaffeur driven and guided tour for 8 people
Only €1695 per person
(€1795 for single person due to room supplements)
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The Irish Lighthouse Tour bus at Loop Head |
Tommy Hartnett, our bus driver |
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| Ardgroom Stone Circle on the Beara Peninsula |
Skellig Michael where the beehive monastery is |
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| Get up close and personal with the Fastnet |
I was there! terrific trip, packed so much in.....Richard Evans (Association of Lighthouse Keepers)
| We start the tour on the evening of June 22nd at
Fortfield B&B near Kilrush. We will pick you up in the Limerick and Shannon area
and take you there. We regularly pick people up at Shannon
Airport, Bunratty B&Bs, Ennis and Limerick train stations |
| 'John, thank you for all your hard work and perseverance to make our trip a success. You have overcome the many obstacles put in your way by the weather to make our trip an outstanding success. We really appreciate all you have done. This has been a memorable trip' Phil and Mary Borkowski |
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: June 23rd - We drive to Doolin and take the ferry across to Inisheer, the southernmost Aran Island. A pony and trap will take us on narrow lanes between high stone walls on our way to view a great lighthouse |
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The 2012 tour aboard the pony and trap at Inisheer
Watch video of pony trap ride |
Inisheer lighthouse |
After lunch in Lahinch we follow the coast to Loop Head
lighthouse for a guided tour |
Loop Head lighthouse
which stands on some pretty amazing cliffs. Here we get a guided tour of the tower and get to walk on the balcony, looking back up the coast we just came down
What aerial video
We will stop at the Kilbaba Art and Craft Shop which sells
lighthouse books, models and pictures |
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John Eagle and Tommy Hartnett pictured beside the minibus at Galley Head.
We now use the Mercedes bus |
| Kim Fahlen taking a picture of the lantern at Kilcredaune,
with Judy Weeks looking on, during the 2011 tour. The
lantern no longer functions, having been switched off by
Irish Lights in March 2011 |
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The tower of Kilcredaune. The door to the balcony is very small, but if I can squeeze through it most people can!
Watch aerial video |
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We
spend the first and second nights of the tour at Fortfield Farm B&B which as the name suggests is on a farm with lots of cows and horses in the fields. A truly lovely place where we stay each year and hopefully for many years to come.
We can see
Tarbert lighthouse light from the front lawn |
Map showing our route south into the kingdom of Kerry, as
go go south from Kilrush |
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| Carrigaholt near Kilcredaune lighthouse |
Irish lighthouse tour bus boarding the Shannon Ferry |
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Day 2: June 24th - We cross the River Shannon passing close to Tarbert lighthouse and then make our way through the Kerry countryside to Fenit near Tralee to take a boat trip out to Little Samphire Island see below |
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Boat trip out to Little Samphire Island lighthouse for a guided tour inside the lighthouse
Click here to watch a video I shot |
The Little Samphire flower grows all over the lighthouse island, similar to asparagus, it's nice to add to meals
We recently had the opportunity to be a part of the John Eagle Extreme LH Tour. We are lighthouse enthusiasts that have seen well over 275 LH's around the world and have taken many trips to see them. This tour certainly ranks amongst the best we have ever done. Thank you John for a great tour. Many of the lights could only be seen from a boat, which was a fun part of the tour. The journey out to see the Fastnet LH was the best ever and I got some of the best LH pictures I have ever taken, look for them in Lighthouse Digest Magazine! Also, we loved the two night stay in the actual keepers quarters at Galley Head LH. Skellig Michael LH was fantastic, Tommy the tour driver was a riot, great B & B's, unbelievable Full Irish Breakfasts, nice pub stops, and on and on! We would certainly do it again.
Randy and Barb Hemstad, Minnesota, USA |
| After photographing Little Samphire Island we head to
Valentia Island for our bed for the night. On the way some of you might be interested to view parts of the old railway line that ran from Farranfore to Cahirciveen. Picture shows the Glenbeigh viaduct. There are also tunnels to view |
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We visit Cromwell Point lighthouse on Valentia Island for a guided tour
We spend the night at the Strand End House near Cahirciveen
or The Atlantic Villa on Valentia Island
We stayed there in 2012 and 2015. What a lovely welcome we received, so really looking forward to going back there |
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| Taking pictures of Cromwell Point lighthouse beside the tour bus |
Entering Cromwell Point lighthouse for tour |
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Watch aerial footage of Cromwell Point lighthouse |
Map shows trip from Port Magee to the Skelligs, then south
to Eyeries |
Day 3: June 25th - We head out to the Skelligs from Port Magee. This is a day trip and we will see the lighthouse from below the cliffs and then go onto the rock to view the monastic settlement. We will also see the famous puffins
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Watch a video of Skellig Michael |
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| The gannet colony on Little Skellig |
Little Skellig arch |
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Upon returning from Skellig Michael we drive to the Beara Peninsula for the next two nights. We stay in Eyeries looking straight onto the Atlantic Ocean.
Picture left shows Glanmore Lake where there is a gorgeous restaurant called Josie's Lake House |
| You won 't be disappointed. I was one of 7 on
the 2012 tour. Tommy & John packed in so many sights it was nothing short of amazing- they deserve a medal. Thanks guys. Richard Evans (Association of Lighthouse Keepers) |
Map shows boat trip taking in Roancarrig, Bull, to Dursey
then tour of Beara |
We stay at Formanes House and Coulagh Bay B&Bs at Eyeries, both lovely places with welcoming hosts
Day 4: June 26th - We go out in a fast moving rib (see below) to visit the Bull Rock famous for its cave that lies beneath the lighthouse. If the sea is calm enough we will pass through and look up at the old dwellings |
Watch a video going through the cave |
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| The fast moving boat we use to go out to the Bull Rock and Ardnakinna |
Photographing Ardnakinna lighthouse from the rib |
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left to right: Bull Rock, Calf Rock, Cow and Heifer
If for reasons beyond my control we cannot do this boat
trip we will take the cable car to Dursey and see the Bull
and Calf from the island. Also we can take a boat trip
along the north shore of Beara |
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The Bull Rock lies off Dursey Island and takes about an hour from Castletownbere. On the way we will pass close the Calf Rock where there used to be a lighthouse. It was destroyed in a storm in the 1880s. A temporary lighthouse was built on Dursey before the Bull Rock was established |
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| Visiting Roancarrig on the 2009 tour |
Calf Rock |
Leaving the Calf we pass close to Ardnakinna on Bere Island then come up close on Roancarrig lighthouse in Bantry Bay which was a setting for part of the movie 'Ondine' starring Colin Farrell
Coming ashore in Adrigole we cross over the famous Healy Pass (the picture of Glanmore above was taken from it) and head down to a favourite pub of mine Teddy O'Sullivan's known as the Mussel Bar for its wonderful mussels.
There follows a tour down the coast to Allihies and supper there. |
Map shows journey south from Beara to Galley Head, then
next day to the Fastnet lighthouse |
Day 5: June 27th - We go to Galley Head lighthouse for 2 nights. Whilst staying there we go to Schull for a boat trip to the Fastnet. (Please note, in the past two years this boat trip has taken place twice at dawn and once in the evening, due to weather conditions)
Watch an aerial video |
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| The lantern at Galley Head |
The stairwell at Galley Head |
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Watch a video of Galley Head lantern at night |
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| Galley Head Keeper's Cottage, period furniture and books |
Gerald Butler, the author of the above book will be giving us a slide show when we stay at Galley Head |
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We go to look at the Fastnet, the one the yachts sail round every second year.
Watch a video |
| Fastnet lighthouse we circle 3 or 4 times to view this most famous lighthouse, the last sight of Ireland passengers on the way to America saw and hence that is why it is called 'The Teardrop' |
Day 6: June 28th - We go to visit the new Mizen Bridge, opened August 2011 at a cost of 2.1 million euros. It replaced the hundred year old bridge which had become unsafe. While it looks much the same the new bridge is
wider, wide enough to drive a quad bike across to deliver
necessary supplies. Often we see seals way below under the
bridge.. We also tour the fog station. Afterwards we will get a good view of Crookhaven lighthouse. Night is at Galley Head
Watch a video on the Mizen |
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One of the things available for us to do is visit the model village at Clonakilty, where a model of the Fastnet stands. This picture shows a model train going over the Ballydehob viaduct. The models are all based on scenes of West Cork |
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June 29th We drive to see Roche's Point lighthouse which is
at the mouth of the River Lee that flows through Cork. It
is the welcoming light for many who sail into Cork
harbour. Then we go to Ballycotton for a tour of the
lighthouse |
Map shows our trip from GalleyHead to Hook Head, dotted
line showing our return to Cork |
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| Roche's Point at the
entrance to Cork Harbour. As with Ballycotton we might
leave this to the last day |
We get a boat trip to Ballycotton lighthouse, go up the tower and onto the balcony.
Weather permitting |
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Optional visit to Jameson's Distillery in Midleton for all of you who would like to go for the guided tour. 2015 cost was €14 and the tour lasted 1 hour and ten minutes with several professional whiskey tasters at the end of it!!
Depending on how much time we have we might do this on our way back from the Hook |
We will spend the night of June
29th near the Hook Head lighthouse in Co. Wexford. I have a
super B&B Glendine House arranged there. Either on the way there or on
the way back we will call in to see Ballinacourty
lighthouse pictured right with members of the 2015 tour |
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Day 8 - June 30th
We are going to the Hook Lighthouse for tour of the interior and walk around the outside. We will return via Dunmore East and
Youghal, finishing in Cork. There is a cafe at the Hook and extensive gift shop.
The Hook is the oldest working lighthouse in Ireland,
and some say the World
Glendine House, where we spend our last night of the
tour
Tour will end in Cork City around 3pm on June 30th |
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| Hook getting a wash! |
lighthouse tower staircase |
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| Duncannon North which we see on our way to the Hook, also on the way back |
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| Me and my Irish Lighthouse Tour bus at Dunmore East |
Youghal lighthouse |
| The 2015
Southern irish Lighthouse Tour group returning from the
Fastnet lighthouse l-r Guy & Benedicte Van Spilbeeck,
Maarit Kostamo, Carol and Alan Davis |
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Members of the Southern Irish Lighthouse Tour 2014 visiting Youghal
l-r: John Eagle, Sean Martin, Tommy Hartnett bus driver, Shai Biskovitch, Colin Forest. Egon and Isolde Pfefferkorn, Mike Hannon and John T Kennedy |
Members of the Southern Irish Lighthouse Tour 2013 visiting Youghal
l-r Tommy Hartnett the bus driver, Greg Steffenson from Arizona, John Eagle tour organiser, Bonda and Ted Garrison from Florida and Lisa Nardine from Arizona |
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Members of the 2012 Extreme Southern Irish Lighthouse Tour visiting Youghal l-r: Margareta Wendelius, Anna Lena Larsson, John Kelly, Barb and Randy Hemstad, Richard Evans, Janet Cribb, John Eagle and in the front our bus driver Tommy Hartnett |
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| Then we take you back to Cork, leaving you at the bus station or airport or where you would prefer |
Tour price is €1,695 per person
sharing
Tour price is
€1,795 per person wanting a single room
What's included
Tour price includes all lighthouse entry fees, all
accommodations (top quality B&Bs and 2 nights at Galley Head lighthouse), all breakfasts
except two at Galley Head self catering, bus, ferries and all boat trip costs your guide, author and photographer John Eagle. (Galley Head is self catering where we make our own breakfasts for two days) Highlights of the tour will include boat trips, a lighthouse slide show and meeting people who have worked and continue to work for Irish Lights. Unlike other countries WiFi is for the most part free in Ireland, or comes free with your accommodation.
You can also tap into my hotspot
What's not included
Meals other than breakfast are not included. I have considered including all meals, but realize that some people like to go off and do their own thing in the evenings. I also feel that set meals for people tend to be of lower quality. I will do my best to take you to places that offer the best value for the money
Please note there are no
refreshments or toilets (washrooms) on Skellig Michael.
The trip is about 4 hours
Insurance
I have my own Public Liability Insurance (with LeisureInsure) It covers me for showing people around lighthouses and out on location for workshops in Ireland. I suggest you bring some form of travel insurance with you
I have taken a course in
cardiac arrest rescue and know how to assist someone in
need of help
Special Notes
Cancellations and Refunds
A 75% refund will be given up to 3 months ahead of the start date of the tour, ie 25% will be kept to cover administration costs and fees incurred by banks and Pay Pal. If the start of the tour is June 1st then March 1st is the deadline for this 75% refund. After that date no refunds will be given
I make reservations, numerous phone calls and emails with my hotels and ferry operators. I need to know 3 months in advance what I am doing. In the final 3 months leading up to the start date of the tour I will keep all monies paid for the tour
I will do my level best to help you plan your trip, with staying in places beforehand and afterwards
Photographing lighthouses takes us to challenging locations, including cliffs and rough seas. For this reason I strongly suggest taking out travel insurance to cover unexpected medical needs during the tour, as accidents can happen. I will always advise you when conditions are dangerous, and when extra care is required. I have photographed all the lighthouses many times over and know the dangerous places to avoid. When on the water waterproofs are advisable, as well as non slip footwear. Cliffs might look tempting for dramatic shots, but a gust of wind could spell danger. You need to be alert at all times. Boat trips are weather permitting. I will do my level best to get you out on the water but in some cases the seas might be too rough. I will never put you in any kind of danger, and will always judge a scene before allowing you into it for your and my own safety
Sometimes it is not possible to fit
everything in on a tour. I do try to get to all locations
mentioned but delays are sometimes unavoidable. Visits to
certain locations might take place on a different day,
like if there is a storm at sea we might need to try again
another day. Several times it's been too rough to go to
the Fastnet on the planned day, but I have always managed
to find a day calm enough to go there. I might change a
lighthouse for another just so things run better, for
instance Ballincourty in place of Ballycotton. Ballycotton
is lovely but it soaks up a lot of time. In place of
Ballycotton we could see three other lighthouses instead |
| Or if you have a question to ask please contact me |
I get
charged a supplement for single rooms and have to add
this on
Other methods of payment available, for instance bank transfers, please ask
All photographs © John Eagle Photography
except *Duncannon Fort by Greg Steffenson taken on the Southern Lighthouse Tour 2013 |
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