Lighthouses of the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man (or Mann) is an island in the Irish Sea very roughly equidistant from southwestern Scotland, northwestern England, and Northern Ireland. The island is a self-governing nation and a British Crown Dependency; since 1399 the British monarch has also been Lord of Mann. Legally the island is not part of the United Kingdom but its residents have British citizenship.

The Isle of Man is 52 km (32 mi) long and up to 22 km (14 mi) wide. It has a population of about 85,000 and is accessible by air or by ferry from Heysham, Birkenhead and Liverpool in England, Belfast in Northern Ireland, and Dublin in the Irish Republic.

The Isle of Man was divided historically into six districts called sheadings (sheadinyn). These are geographical units with no administrative function.

In 1815 the Northern Lighthouse Board, the Scottish lighthouse agency, asked for and received permission from the British and Manx Parliaments to build lighthouses at Point of Ayre and Calf of Man to protect shipping to and from the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. The Board has continued to maintain the major lighthouses on the island ever since. Harbor lights, however, are maintained by Isle of Man Harbours.

Special thanks to Fred Fox, the Retained Lightkeeper responsible for all NLB Isle of Man lights except Chicken Rock, for supplying information on these lights not available from any other source.

The Manx language is spoken occasionally on the island and survives in many place names. The Manx phrase for a lighthouse is thie sollysh. Ellan and innis or innys are words for an island, meayll is a cape, and purt or towl is a port.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume A of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 114.

General Sources
Northern Lighthouse Board - Lighthouses
The Board's web site includes information and photos for many of the lighthouses.
Lightkeeper's Journey and Isle of Man Lighthouses
An excellent site posted by NLB Retained Lightkeeper Fred Fox.
Lighthouses of the Isle of Man
Photos and information from the Lighthouse Accomodations website.
Lighthouses of the Isle of Man
This site by Frances Coakley covers the major towers with photos and historical notes.
Online List of Lights - Isle of Man
Outstanding photos, almost all by Fred Fox, posted by Alexander Trabas.
Lighthouses in the Isle of Man
Photos available from Wikimedia; many of these photos were first posted on Geograph.org.uk.
United Kingdom Lighthouses
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Britische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
GPSNauticalCharts
Navigational chart for the Isle of Man.
Navionics Charts
Navigational chart for the Isle of Man.

Langness Light
Langness Light, Derbyhaven, June 2007
Geograph Creative Commons photo by Phil Catterall

Point of Ayre (Ayre Sheading) Lighthouses
* Point of Ayre (High)
1818 (Robert Stevenson). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); four white flashes, separated by 2.3 s, every 20 s. 30 m (98 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. 1st order Barbier & Bénard Fresnel lens (1890). Tower painted white with two broad red horizontal bands; gallery painted buff, lantern black. 2-story keeper's house and other buildings. Unusual 10 m (33 ft) inverted-wedge-shaped fog signal tower with two large diaphone horns. Trabas has Fox's photo (also seen at right), John Quine has another good photo, Wikimedia has photos, Lighthouse Accommodations has a page for the light station, Paul Hollinghurst has a street view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a fine satellite view. The light station was sold into private ownership in 1993 and the fog signal was discontinued in 2005. In 2019 a carpark was added at the point, and the owners also offer refreshments at the base of the lighthouse. The name "Ayre" is from a Norse word eyrr meaning a gravelly beach. Located near the northeastern point of the island at the end of the A16 highway, about 15 km (9 mi) north of Ramsey. Site open (respect privacy of owners), tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: private. . ARLHS IOM-013; Admiralty A4720; NGA 4896.
* Point of Ayre Low ("Winkie")
1890 (David A. Stevenson). Inactive since 2010. 10 m (33 ft) two-stage octagonal cylindrical tower with lantern and double gallery; the cast iron upper half of the tower has a smaller cross-section than the concrete lower half. Upper half of the tower painted red, lower half white; the lantern roof is black. 300 mm lens (1993). Pierre Destremau has a 2023 closeup photo, David Dixon has a closeup photo, Andy Stephenson has a photo, Paul Hollinghurst has a street view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The cast iron tower, prefabricated by James Dove and Co. of Edinburgh, was placed at the edge of the sea about 225 m (250 yd) from the main light. In 1951, since gravel buildup had extended the shore, the concrete tower was built another 230 m (250 yd) seaward, and the historic tower was relocated atop the new tower. The light was discontinued in April 2010 and in September 2015 it was sold at auction. The buyer has not been identified. The lighthouse is probably endangered by rising sea levels. Located on the beach at the northeastern point of the island, beyond the end of the A16 highway. A privately owned carpark is nearby; turn right at the end of the driveway to the main lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS IOM-021; ex-Admiralty A4722; ex-NGA 4900.
Point of Ayre High Light
Point of Ayre High Light, Ramsey
photo copyright Fred Fox; used by permission

East Coast (Garff Sheading) Lighthouses
* Ramsey North Pier
1864. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); quick-flashing green light. 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal cast iron tower with lantern. Upper 2/3 of lighthouse painted white; lower 1/3 painted black. Trabas has Fox's photo, a photo of the two Ramsey lights is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. There are records of a light at the Ramsey Harbour entrance as early as 1766. Located at the end of the northern of two parallel piers at the entrance to Ramsey Harbour. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-024; Admiralty A4798; NGA 5044.
* Ramsey South Pier (3)
1876 (station established 1844). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); quick-flashing red light. 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal cast iron tower with lantern. Upper 2/3 of lighthouse painted white with a single red horizontal band; lower 1/3 painted black. Trabas has Fox's photo, Chris Newman has a closeup photo, a photo of the two Ramsey lights is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The original wood tower was quickly replaced by a stone tower in 1845. Located at the end of the southern of two parallel piers at the entrance to Ramsey Harbour. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-015; Admiralty A4796; NGA 5040.
Maughold Head
1914 (David A. and Charles Stevenson). Active; focal plane 65 m (212 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 23 m (77 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, watch room buff, lantern black. The original 1st order Chance Brothers Fresnel lens was retired from use in 2016 but remains in the lantern. The lighthouse is perched about half of the way up a steep promontory. The keeper's houses and other buildings, located above the lighthouse at the top of the bluff, are privately owned and were formerly operated as a bed and breakfast. Andy Radcliffe's photo is at right, Chris Gunns has a photo, Daz Aylward has a 2021 photo, Wikimedia has several photos, Chris Gunns has a view from the sea, the aerial photos of Marinas.com give a good view of this beautiful site, Huelse also has a postcard view, Liam Carbin has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse replaced the former Bahama Bank Lightship station (established 1848) offshore. The fog signal was discontinued in 1987. The 100th anniversary of the lighthouse was celebrated in April 2014. The keepers' houses were sold in 2014, leading to the closing of the bed and breakfast. Located on a sharp cape, the easternmost point of the island, about 6 km (4 mi) east of Ramsey. Site and tower closed, but there are good views from the road above the lighthouse. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. . ARLHS IOM-010; Admiralty A4786; NGA 5036.
Maughold Head Light
Maughold Head Light, Ramsey, July 2005
Geograph Creative Commons photo by Andy Radcliffe
* Laxey Breakwater
1946. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); green light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 4 m (13 ft) round masonry tower with a domed lantern; light shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white with a single horizontal green band. Sibling of Castle Jetty Light. Trabas has Fox's photo, Andrew Wright has a photo, a photo of both Laxey lights is available, and Google has a satellite view and a street view of the two Laxey lights. Located at the end of the breakwater at Laxey, about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Douglas. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-018; Admiralty A4785; NGA 5032.
* Laxey Pier (2)
1941 (station established 1891). Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); red light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 4 m (13 ft) round masonry tower with a domed lantern; light shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white with a single horizontal red band. Trabas has Fox's closeup photo, Carolyn Hastings has a 2019 closeup, a photo of both Laxey lights is available, and Google has a satellite view and a street view of the two Laxey lights. Sibling of the Castle Jetty Light at Peel. Located at the end of the pier at Laxey, about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Douglas. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-019; Admiralty A4784; NGA 5028.

Douglas (Middle Sheading) Lighthouses
Conister Rock (Tower of Refuge)
2008 (tower built in 1832). Active; focal plane about 11 m (36 ft); quick-flashing white light. The tower is also floodlit at night. Light mounted on the Tower of Refuge, a castle-like stone building. A night time photo is available, Trabas has Fox's photo, Wikimedia has Gregory Kingsley's photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on a rocky reef in Douglas Harbour. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A4775.
* Douglas Harbour Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red light occulting once every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete pillar on a concrete pier. Trabas has Fox's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This is the entrance range for Douglas, the ferry terminal for ferries arriving at the island. The rear light is on a mast. Located just off the quay on the south side of the harbor. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A4773.
 

Battery Pier Light, Douglas
photo copyright Fred Fox; used by permission
 
* Battery Pier
Early 1960s. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); quick-flashing red light. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round tapered stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a single red horizontal band. The lantern is silvery metallic. Trabas has Fox's closeup photo (seen above right), Phil Catterall has a 2009 photo, Glyn Baker has a photo, another closeup photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of a pier on the east side of Douglas Harbour; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-007; Admiralty A4772; ex-NGA 5000.
* [Douglas Herring Tower]
1811 (Thomas Brine). Daybeacon, never lit. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) round cylindrical, castellated stone tower, painted white. The tower is at the top of the hill in Nigel Williams's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This tower and an identical tower at Langness were built as daybeacons and were never intended to be lighthouses. The towers are copies of a round tower at Peel Castle. In 1869 this tower was incorporated into the Douglas Head Hotel. The hotel was demolished in 1999 but the tower was retained. The site is now occupied by condominium apartments. Located high atop Douglas Head just southwest of Douglas, the capital of the island. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Douglas Head Apartments.
* Douglas Head (2)
1892 (David and Thomas Stevenson). Station established 1832 by the Isle of Man Harbour Board. Active; focal plane 32 m (104 ft); white flash every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, watch room buff, lantern black. Sealed-beam lamp array. 1-story keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Robat Williams's photo is at right, Geoff Coupe has a photo, Trabas has Fox's photo, Chris Newman has a 2019 closeup, Lighthouse Accommodations has a page for the lighthouse, Paul Hollinghurst has a street view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Coakley has the history of the station and a photo of the 1832 lighthouse. Huelse has postcard views of the 1832 and present lighthouses. The name "Douglas" is an Anglicized form of the Manx dubh glais, "black stream," a reference to a nearby creek. The original light was built by the Douglas Harbour Commission and the station was transferred to NLB in 1859. The foghorn, added in 1908, has been discontinued. In 2014 the keeper's house was listed for sale at £499,950. In 2017 modern LED lights were installed. Located on the point below the heights of Douglas Head. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. . ARLHS IOM-008; Admiralty A4770; NGA 4992.

Douglas Head Light
Douglas Head Light, Douglas, June 2012
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Robat Williams


Rushen Sheading: South Coast Lighthouses
* Derbyhaven (Derby Haven) (1)
1946. Inactive since 2020. This was approx. 3.5 m (12 ft) round masonry tower with a domed top; the light was shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white with a single horizontal green band. Sibling of Irish Quay Light in Castletown. Andy Stewart has a 2018 photo and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Trabas has Fox's closeup photo of the active light on a triangular skeletal mast (focal plane 5 m (16 ft); green light, 1 s on, 1 s off). There wasn't room in the historic lighthouse for a modern LED light, so that light was placed on the mast. According to Isle of Man Harbours a light was established at Derbyhaven in 1650, which would make it the earliest known light on the island. Findlay's 1879 light list mentions a breakwater light established in 1850. Located at the end of the detached breakwater in Derbyhaven; accessible with caution at low tide by walking across the exposed beach to the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-005. Active light: Admiralty A4764; NGA 4988.
* [Derby Fort]
Late 1700s. Inactive since the late 1800s. This light was mounted on Derby Fort, a round tower built in 1645. Ruins of the tower survive. According to Findlay's 1879 list the light had a focal plane of 50 ft (15 m). Julie Corteen has a 2022 photo, Wikimedia has Richard Hoare's photo and another photo by Chris Gunns, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located on St. Michael's Isle, a small island off the northern tip of the Langness Peninsula east of Derbyhaven. The island is attached to the mainland by a causeway. Site open.
* [Langness Herring Tower]
1811 (Thomas Brine). Daybeacon, never lit. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) cylindrical, castellated stone tower, unpainted. James Qualtrough has a photo, Zofia Kuchta has a 2018 photo, and Google has a satellite view and a street view at the base of the tower. This tower and an identical tower at Douglas Head were built specifically as daybeacons. The towers are copies of a round tower at Peel Castle. Located about 200 m (220 yd) behind Langness Light (next entry). Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown. .
* Langness
1880 (David and Thomas Stevenson). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two white flashes, separated by 5.1 s, every 30 s. 19 m (63 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, watch room buff, lantern black. Twin 300 mm lens, one mounted above the other. 1-story keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Fog signal building with intact horn (fog signal discontinued in 1987). Phil Catterall's photo is at the top of this page, Grant Matthews has a good photo, Callum Qualtrough has a 2021 photo, Lighthouse Accommodations has a page for the light station, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Langness ("Long Point") is a slender peninsula hanging from the southeastern corner of the Isle of Man. For a number of years British TV personality Jeremy Clarkson owned much of the surrounding land and attempted to close access to the lighthouse, but in May 2010 he was ordered to reopen traditional pathways leading to the light. In 2014 the keeper's cottages were renovated and opened for overnight accommodations. Located on the east side of Dreswick Point, the southern point of the peninsula, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Derbyhaven. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: Langness Lighthouse Cottages . ARLHS IOM-009; Admiralty A4762; NGA 4984.
* King William's College
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; continuous red light. Approx. 25 m (82 ft) mast atop a square Gothic stone tower. Trabas has Fox's photo, Edward Harris has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. This is also a warning light for planes landing at the adjacent Isle of Man Airport. Located on heights at the head of Castletown Bay. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: King William's College. Admiralty A4761.2.
* Castletown Irish Quay
1944. Active; focal plane 5 m (16 ft); red light, 3 s on, 1 s off. Approx. 3.5 m (12 ft) round masonry tower with a domed top; the light is shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white with a single horizontal red band. Dave Abreu has a photo of both Castletown lights, Trabas has Fox's closeup photo, Clinton Hall has a closeup street view, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view and a street view of the two Castletown lights. Located at the end of Irish Quay in Castletown; accessible by walking the quay. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-017; Admiralty A4761; NGA 4976.
* Castletown New Pier (2?)
1849 (station established 1765). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red light, 13 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with a domed top; the light is shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white with a single horizontal red band. Paul Dyer has a dramatic photo, Zohar Fisher has a 2022 photo, Dave Abreu has a photo of both Castletown lights, Trabas has Fox's closeup photo, Julian Mason has a closeup street view, and Google has a satellite view and a street view of the two Castletown lights. Located at the end of the pier in Castletown; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-002; Admiralty A4760; NGA 4972.
The Carrick
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); two quick white flashes every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal pyramidal skeletal tower. Trabas has Fox's photo and Google has a distant satellite view. Located in Ny Carrickey Bay off Port St. Mary. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IOM-028; Admiralty A4752; NGA 4960.
* Port St. Mary Inner Pierhead (2)
1897 (station established 1812). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower with a domed, enclosed top, painted white with a single narrow horizontal red band. Trabas has Fox's photo (also seen above right), Bruno Ricci has a 2022 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the inner pier of Port St. Mary; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-023; Admiralty A4756; NGA 4964.
Alfred Pier (4)
2018 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 7.5 m (25 ft); red light occulting once every 8 s. 7 m (23 ft) round fiberglass tower colored white with one red horizontal band. Trabas has Fred Fox's photo seen at right. This light is a replacement for the 1943 light, a 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal cast iron tower with lantern. An unusually high tide and a strong wind combined to wash that lighthouse into the sea during the night of 11-12 January 2009. Marinas.com has aerial views of the lost light. Lighthouse Accommodations has a photo of the new light (fourth photo on the page) but it is not seen in Google's satellite view. Located at the end of the outer pier of Port St. Mary. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-026; Admiralty A4754; NGA 4968.

Port St. Mary Inner Pierhead Light
Port St. Mary Inner Pierhead Light
photo copyright Fred Fox; used by permission


Alfred Pier Light, Port St. Mary, November 2018

photo copyright Fred Fox; used by permission


Rushen Sheading: Calf of Man Lighthouses
The Calf of Man is a 250 hectare (618 acre) island off the southwestern tip of the Isle of Man. The island is a nature preserve owned by Manx National Heritage. Rustic accommodations are available at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory on the island.
Chicken Rock
1875 (David and Thomas Stevenson). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white flash every 5 s. 44 m (143 ft) tapered round granite tower with lantern and gallery, incorporating keeper's quarters. Tower unpainted, lantern painted black. Twin 300 mm lenses (1999). Fog horn (blast every 60 s). A 2023 photo is at right, Trabas has Fox's photo, a fine 2007 photo is available, Dave Brooks has a closeup, Lighthouse Accommodations has a page for the lighthouse, Wikipedia has an article with several photos, Wikimedia has photos, and Bing has a satellite view. Chicken Rock is an isolated bare rock about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Calf of Man; the lighthouse was built when it became clear that the Calf of Man lights were not sufficient to warn ships away from the area. The shore station was originally at Calf of Man but was moved to Port St. Mary in 1886. The interior of the lighthouse was heavily damaged by fire on 23 December 1960, leading to automation of the light in 1961. Located on the rock, swept by the waves; the lowest 10 m (33 ft) of the tower is solid granite. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. . ARLHS IOM-003; Admiralty A4748; NGA 4956.
Calf of Man (1) Low
1819 (Robert Stevenson). Inactive since 1875. Approx. 15 m (50 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, connected by a covered walway to a 2-story stone keeper's house. The keeper's house continued in service until 1912 but is now in poor condition. M.J. Richardson has a photo, Paul Ward has a 2020 photo, Andy Stephenson has a photo showing the Chicken Rock lighthouse in the distance, Lighthouse Accommodations has a page for the three Calf of Man lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view.The two 1818 lighthouses were deactivated in favor of the Chicken Rock Light in 1875. Although they are very sturdily built they are now endangered by long abandonment. Paul Ward's 2020 photo shows the poor condition of the lighthouse. Located near the southern end of the island, facing Chicken Rock. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Manx National Trust. . ARLHS IOM-031.
Calf of Man (2)
1968 (P.H. Hyslop). Inactive since 2007. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery mounted at one corner of 1-story granite service building. Brad Ackerman has a photo of all three Calf of Man lighthouses, another distant view of the three lighthouses is available, and Google has a photo and a satellite view. Endangered. After the fire at Chicken Rock Light in late 1960 the Northern Lighthouse Board studied navigational needs in the area and decided to automate Chicken Rock and build this lighthouse. The fog signal at this light was discontinued in July 2005 and the light was deactivated in June 2007. Located between the two 1818 towers. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS IOM-001; ex-Admiralty A4746; ex-NGA 4948.

Chicken Rock Light, Isle of Man, January 2023
Instagram photo by langnesslighthouse
Calf of Man (1) High
1819 (Robert Stevenson). Inactive since 1875. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. The 2-story keeper's house continued in service until 1886; it is now in poor condition. Paul Ward has a 2020 closeup photo, M.J. Richardson has a closeup photo, Brad Ackerman has a photo, Andy Stephenson has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Endangered. Located 170 m (560 ft) north of the low light. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Manx National Trust. . ARLHS IOM-030.
Thousla Rock
1981. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower, painted white; base is black. No lantern; the light is displayed from a short mast atop the tower. Trabas has Fox's closeup photo, David Dixon has a photo, M.J. Richardson has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view from the mainland. Located on a rock in Calf Sound, the channel separating Isle of Man and Calf of Man. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS IOM-025; Admiralty A4745; NGA 4952.

Rushen Sheading: Port Erin Lighthouses
* Raglin Pier
1916. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); green light, occulting once every 5 s. 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern green, lantern dome white. Trabas has Fox's photo, a sunset photo is available, and Google has a closeup street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of a stone pier on the waterfront in Port Erin. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-022; Admiralty A4744; NGA 4944.
* Port Erin Range Front (2)
Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous red light. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern. Tower painted white with a single red horizontal band. Richard Hoare's photo is at right, Trabas has Fox's photo, Paul Sandham has a closeup, a more distant view is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Huelse has a postcard view of the original lighthouse, a square skeletal tower. Located on the waterfront in Port Erin, at the southwestern corner of the island. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-014; Admiralty A4740; NGA 4936.
* [Port Erin Range Rear (2)]
Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); continuous red light. 4 m (13 ft) post painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has Fox's photo and Google has a street view but the tiny light is hard to find in Google's satellite view. Located on the waterfront of Port Erin near the front light. Site open. Admiralty A4740.1; NGA 4940.
Port Erin Front Light
Port Erin Range Front Light, Port Erin, February 2010
Geograph Creative Commons photo by Richard Hoare

Peel (Glenfaba Sheading) Lighthouses
* Peel Breakwater
Date unknown (station active by the 1850s). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white light, 5 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal cast iron tower with lantern; the gallery was removed in 2012. Tower painted white with a horizontal black band at the base. Trabas has Fox's photo (also seen at right), Ted Sarah also has a closeup photo, Chris Newman has a 2019 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Peel is the principal harbor on the west coast of the Isle of Man. The harbor is partly sheltered by St. Patrick's Isle, a small island crowned by Peel Castle. The lighthouse is located at the end of a stone breakwater extending northeastward from St. Patrick's Isle. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-020; Admiralty A4734; NGA 4924.
* Peel Castle Jetty
1946. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); green light, 5 s on, 2 s off. 4 m (13 ft) round masonry tower with a small domed lantern; light shown through a window in the lantern. Tower painted with narrow green and white horizontal bands; lantern unpainted aluminum (?). Trabas has Thomas Philipp's photo, Derek Tootill has a photo, Chris Newman has a 2019 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of a stone jetty at the southeastern corner of St. Patrick's Isle, marking the west side of the entrance to Peel's inner harbor. Accessible by walking the jetty. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-012; Admiralty A4732; NGA 4932.
* Peel Pierhead (2)
Date unknown (station established 1811). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red light, 5 s on, 2 s off. Light mounted atop the roof of a 2-story harbor master's office. No lantern. Trabas has Thomas Philipp's closeup photo, Andrew Abbott has a view from the harbor, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the pier on the east side of the entrance to Peel's inner harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. ARLHS IOM-027; Admiralty A4730; NGA 4928.
* Peel Promenade (Range Rear)
2005. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 5 s. 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal cupola centered on a 1-story building. Trabas has Fox's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The front light is on a post on a breakwater. Located on the seaside promenade in Peel. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Isle of Man Harbours. Admiralty A4731.1.

Peel Breakwater Light
photo copyright Fred Fox; used by permission

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Southwestern Scotland | East: Northwestern England | West: Northern Ireland

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Posted October 28, 2004. Checked and revised June 24, 2023. Lighthouses: 29. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.