Description
Rotten Island lighthouse is a harbour light to light the passage from St. John's Point to inner channel and past the rocks to the anchorage within Killybegs Harbour, Donegal Bay, Ireland. It is operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.HistoryThe Inspecting Commander of the Coastguard wrote to the Ballast Board on 21 April 1832 recommending that a light be placed on Drumanoo Point. George Halpin, Inspector to the Ballast Board, agreed that a light was necessary but he recommended Rotten Island instead. The Ballast Board then approved a light in 1833 and Statutory Sanction was obtained from Trinity House.Design and constructionThe lighthouse and keepers' houses were designed by George Halpin and the works were carried out by the Board's workers under his inspection. The conical tower of cut granite was painted white. The original light was a fixed white catoptric third order lens pointed to land 66 feet above high water and visible in clear weather for 12 miles. It was first exhibited on 1 September 1838 before completion. The cost at the end of 1839 amounted to £8,697.19s.4d.On 15 September 1836 three men drowned while returning from work on the rock as their boat capsized.ChangesIn 1910 the fixed light was changed to a fifth order dioptric lens, flashing with a character of one flash every three seconds. This new light was introduced on 13 December 1910.
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