Fastnet upgrade to cut light power

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) are refusing to row back on plans to replace historic lights at the country’s most southwesterly lighthouse, reducing the power of their beams from 27 to 18 nautical miles.

Cork county councillors have asked CIL to abandon plans to replace mercury-based lights at the Fastnet Lighthouse with more energy-efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights.

A number of councillors maintain this will cause safety issues for boat users and interfere with the historic integrity of the lighthouse.