Blacksod Lighthouse to celebrate 160 years guiding mariners along the Mayo coast
Historic anniversary event will feature open days, heritage displays, Coast Guard visit and symbolic beacon lighting ceremony
One of Mayo’s most iconic landmarks is preparing to mark a major milestone this summer as Blacksod Lighthouse celebrates 160 years of service with a special programme on Tuesday, June 30.
The anniversary event will bring together local residents, visitors, maritime organisations and heritage partners for a day of celebrations recognising the importance of the lighthouse on the Erris Peninsula.
Organised by Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile (CFID) in partnership with Great Lighthouses of Ireland, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the programme will honour generations of lighthouse keepers, attendants and families who helped safeguard one of Ireland’s most challenging stretches of coastline.
The celebrations will begin with a Lighthouse Open Day from 12pm to 4pm, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore the historic lighthouse and learn about its role in maritime navigation over the past 160 years.
Historical displays tracing the development of Blacksod Lighthouse since its first illumination in 1866 will be on show throughout the afternoon, while members of the Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit will be present to engage with visitors.
A Coast Guard helicopter is also expected to arrive between 2pm and 2.30pm, providing an opportunity for the public to meet crew members and view the aircraft up close.
The evening programme will move to the SOLAS Visitor Centre, beginning at 7.30pm with a special “Taste of the Atlantic” showcase in collaboration with BIM. The event will feature seafood tastings from local producers, highlighting the quality and diversity of Mayo’s maritime food sector.
Guests will then attend a screening of ‘Keepers of the Light’, a short film by Fergus Sweeney exploring the history, people and legacy of Blacksod Lighthouse.
Official addresses from representatives of CFID, Mayo County Council, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and invited guests will follow, reflecting on the significance of preserving Ireland’s maritime heritage for future generations.
The highlight of the anniversary celebrations will take place at the lighthouse itself later that evening with the symbolic ‘Carrying the Light’ ceremony.
As part of the event, 160 candles will be distributed, each representing one year in the lighthouse’s history. A special reflection will recall the night in 1866 when the beacon first shone across the Atlantic coastline.
At 10.25pm, marking the exact anniversary of the first lighting of the lighthouse, a single candle will be carried into the tower by current lighthouse attendant Vincent Sweeney. The main lighthouse beacon will then be illuminated, recreating the historic moment when the light first guided mariners along the Mayo coast.
The ceremony will conclude with a community gathering outside the lighthouse as the beacon shines once again across Blacksod Bay.
Yvonne Shields O’Connor, Chief Executive of Irish Lights, said the anniversary was an opportunity to honour those who dedicated themselves to maintaining the lighthouse.
“This 160th anniversary is an important opportunity to recognise the generations of lighthouse keepers, attendants and local families whose dedication ensured Blacksod Lighthouse remained a trusted guide for mariners,” she said.
She added that while the lighthouse continues to play a crucial role in modern maritime safety, it also serves as an important heritage attraction connecting visitors with Ireland’s rich coastal history.