The Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse, made famous for being the nearest point of land (11 miles/18 km) to where the RMS Lusitania was sunk in 1915, was open to the public this weekend writes Bob Bateman.
Under the supervision of a lighthouse keeper, visitors were treated to tours of the 100-foot lighthouse that boasts beautiful panoramic views of one of the country’s most scenic peninsulas, which is a highlight for visitors.
A shuttle bus service brought members of the public to and from the Old Head of Kinsale Signal Tower.
The 200-year-old Signal Tower at the Old Head has been restored to its former glory and is officially open to the public as a Lusitania Museum. The Museum exhibits artefacts recovered from the wreckage of the ship on the top floor.
The bottom floor of the narrow tower hosts an exhibition on the history of the tower itself.
(Above and below) The tower height is 30 metres (98 ft)
The lighthouse is painted white with black horizontal bands
The lighthouse building is a cylindrical tower with a balcony and lantern
The Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse is the nearest point of land (11 miles/18 km) to where the RMS Lusitania was sunk
The range of the light is 20 nautical miles
The Old Head of Kinsale is popular with golfers who come to play on its 18-hole golf course that opened in 1997
