Perched at the tip of a spectacular headland in County Cork, Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse is one of those places often seen from afar but rarely approached. During an exceptional open weekend, announced for 29 and 30 August 2026, visitors will be able to take a closer look at this iconic lighthouse on Ireland’s south coast.
Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse exceptionally opens to the public
A rare opportunity to discover this iconic County Cork site
Old Head of Kinsale is one of the most striking headlands in southern Ireland. This narrow tongue of land reaches far out into the Atlantic, around ten kilometres south of Kinsale, with steep cliffs exposed to wind and sea spray.
At its tip stands Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse, instantly recognisable by its tall black-and-white striped tower.
Direct access to the lighthouse is usually very limited. The announcement of an Open Weekend on 29 and 30 August 2026 therefore offers a particularly appealing opportunity for travellers visiting County Cork at the end of the month.
A strategic lighthouse on Ireland’s south coast
A 30-metre tower facing the Atlantic
The present lighthouse stands 30 metres high. Its light is approximately 72 metres above sea level and has a range of 20 nautical miles.
Old Head is one of the principal navigational lights on Ireland’s south coast. It serves in particular as a landmark for vessels approaching Kinsale Harbour.
The site’s maritime history stretches back far beyond the present tower. References to lights used at Old Head date from early periods, while a proper lighthouse was built in the 17th century.
The first official lighthouse on the site was one of six installations built along the Irish coast after Charles II granted Sir Robert Reading authorisation in 1665.
A lighthouse that is now fully automated
The keepers left in 1987
For several generations, the lighthouse was watched over by keepers based on the headland.
On 1 April 1987, Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse was converted to fully automated operation. The keepers then left the station, which is now remotely supervised and maintained by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
The lighthouse remains fully operational and continues to play an important role in maritime safety along this stretch of the Irish coast.
Why is Old Head of Kinsale so spectacular?
A headland surrounded by dizzying cliffs
Even without being able to enter the lighthouse, Old Head is well worth a visit for its natural surroundings alone.
The headland forms a narrow peninsula encircled by cliffs that plunge directly into the Atlantic. The landscape alternates between coastal grassland, dark cliffs and sweeping ocean views.
On a clear day, the light can be spectacular. When the sky becomes more overcast, the atmosphere takes on a far more dramatic quality, typical of the great coastlines of south-west Ireland.
A place also linked to the history of the Lusitania
The liner sank off this coast in 1915
Old Head of Kinsale is also associated with one of the best-known maritime episodes of the First World War.
On 7 May 1915, the British liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine off County Cork. The ship sank near Old Head of Kinsale, causing the deaths of almost 1,200 people.
The sinking still holds an important place in local memory today. Several places in and around Kinsale offer opportunities to learn more about this major event in Irish maritime history.
What to do around Old Head of Kinsale
An excellent day trip from Kinsale
The headland is easily visited from Kinsale, one of County Cork’s most popular coastal towns.
A visit to Old Head can be combined with a stroll through Kinsale’s colourful centre, a visit to Charles Fort or a drive along the coast.
The area is also much appreciated for its seascapes and viewpoints. However, the wind can be particularly strong on the headland: even in summer, a windproof jacket is a good idea.
When will the exceptional opening take place?
An event announced for 29 and 30 August 2026
The Old Head of Kinsale Open Weekend is scheduled for Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026.
This type of opening is a rare opportunity to get close to a lighthouse that is not normally accessible as a conventional tourist attraction.
Detailed access arrangements, any visiting hours, whether booking is required and admission conditions may change before the weekend. It is therefore advisable to check the official information shortly before travelling.
