Blacksod Lighthouse — Attraction in County Mayo

I recently had the privilege of joining the guided tour of Blacksod Lighthouse, led by Gerry Sweeney, son of Maureen and Ted Sweeney.

Gerry's expertise and passion were evident from the moment the tour began. As he shared stories of his own teenage years spent living in the lighthouse, I was captivated by his genuine enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the area's history. Gerry's personal connection to the lighthouse and his parents' pivotal role in reporting the weather for the D-Day landings added a layer of authenticity that truly made this tour one-of-a-kind.

The surrounding scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and it perfectly complemented the rich historical context of the tour. It was awe-inspiring to imagine the significant events that took place in this very location. Learning that Maureen Sweeney, at just 21 years old, was the first to forecast a severe Atlantic storm that altered the course of one of the world's biggest military operations left me in awe of her foresight and the vital role she played.

The combination of Gerry's engaging storytelling, the stunning surroundings, and the profound historical significance left a lasting impression on me. I cannot recommend this guided tour enough to anyone interested in the history of the area or those simply seeking a truly...

We spent a wonderful few hours at the lighthouse, with a personal guided tour of the museum and a visit up to the lamp itself. The lighthouse is, of course, famous for its involvement in D Day planning but perhaps less well known for being the lighthouse that raised the alarm when the Rescue 116 coastguard helicopter failed to arrive during its ill-fated tragic last operation. It would be nice to see more of a display and memorial there to the brave crew who died that night. It’s a beautiful place and it’s worth maybe resting a while and enjoying the stories of Blacksod. This lonely place might have been a major transatlantic liner terminus has all the plans come...

Lovely to see this unique lighthouse opened to the public and it's interesting construction, history and workings eloquently explained by a knowledgeable tour guide. Very informative exhibition and photographs at ground floor level after which the tour ascends up the floors into the (now automated) light room and then out through a rather low trapdoor out onto a viewing area with fabulous views of Blacksod Bay and the wider Atlantic Ocean all around. All excellently explained and very interesting stuff you won't have known or heard before (such as red zones and how 70 watt led bulbs now do the work that used to require many thousands of watts previously etc..)! ...