Galley Head Lightkeeper’s House 2

Galley Head Lightkeepers' Houses are perched on dramatic cliffs at about 130 feet above sea level overlooking St George's Channel. The houses, in their elevated setting, make an ideal location for relaxing and getting away from it all. The views from every angle are awe-inspiring and breathtaking.

Galley Head lighthouse station is close to the award-winning village of Clonakilty. This vibrant market town is a must-see for tourists. Guests can enjoy a wide range of activities from dolphin and whale watching, surfing at Inchydoney Blue Flag Beach or a historical walking tour of Clonakilty. The houses are also within easy reach of Cork City and Airport. (40 km)

History


The two keepers' houses at Galley Head, were taken on by Irish Landmark in the final years of the 20th century. Lightkeepers who lived here would have witnessed the tragic loss of the Lusitania in 1915 and sighted a German ship carrying arms, in disguise as Norwegian steam, pursued up the St. George's Channel by British destroyers a year later. It is also said that Ray Bradbury based his melancholy story "The Fog Horn" on a reported sighting of a sea serpent at Galley in 1860.

The station consists of a tower connected by a 38-metre corridor to the semi-detached, two-storey, dwelling, initially built for the principal and assistant keeper, a single-storey home for the gas maker. The two houses have been restored to their original symmetrical layout and make an ideal retreat for a family break.

The lighthouse cottages are in an 'Area of Special Interest', with Clonakilty Bay being home to a variety of rare and unusual birds. This is a superior vacation home by the sea, from where you can explore the outstanding beauty of West Cork, from the stunning Old Head peninsula to the gastronomic delights of Clonakilty.