Poolbeg Lighthouse is a handsome feature of Dublin Bay and an active navigation aid for shipping traffic to Dublin Port at the mouth of the River Liffey. It was built in 1767 and it initially operated on candlepower. This was changed to oil in 1786.
It was re-designed and re-built into its present form in 1820. Originally its apperance was entirely different from what it looks like today. It was not as high as the existing structure. It is now 66m high. It sloped much more rapidly towards the top and was surmounted by an octagonal lantern with eight heavy glass windows. A stone staircase with an iron balustrade led to the second storey, where an iron gallery surrounded the whole building.
The lighthouse is located on the Great South Wall which extends from the tip of Poolbeg peninsula more than four kilometres into Dublin Bay. The wall was the world's longest sea wall at the time of its building 200 years ago and remains one of the longest in Europe.
Depending on the weather the walk out to the lighthouse makes for a pleasant/bracing/vaguely suicidal trip. The route to the wall takes in views of Dublin’s docklands, the iconic chimneys from the former Poolbeg electricity generating station and the Shellybanks nature reserve. Also visible on the walk are the two other lighthouses which work in tandem with the Poolbeg Lighthouse. The Poolbeg lighthouse is painted red to indicate to ships that it’s Port side. The North Bull Lighthouse which is on the opposite side is painted Green to indicate Starboard. Another green lighthouse can be found on a wooden platform mid-channel.To the north, Howth peninsula with its heather-clad hills and rugged sea cliffs is clearly visible while to the south, Killiney Hill, Dalkey Island and Dun Laoghaire are visible. There is also a great view of Dublin mountains and in the distance you can spot the Sugarloaf mountain in Wicklow.
Although this is an easy walk, you should bear in mind that the wall is over 200 years old and the paving is at times quite uneven so watch your footing. For anyone in a buggy, on a bike or a sccoter it can be a bumpy ride.The massive granite blocks were quarried across the bay in Dalkey. Take your time to enjoy being as far out in Dublin Bay you can get on foot. It can be soothing to watch the ferries and cargo ships slowly passing in and out of the bay.
The stretch along the wall to the lighthouse should not be attempted in bad weather conditions. It takes you right into Dublin Bay and is very exposed. Prepare for rougher weather – it can be windy even on a calm day. It isn't recommended during the hours of darkness either.
Enjoy the walk.
Your Mission
To claim a find on this cache you must do the following:
Walk out to the lighthouse and find your way around to the northern side of it. On this side you will see four windows above each other. Take a photo of your thumbs-up with these four windows and upload it with your log. The four windows that you see here as well as your thumb MUST be visible in the photo. See sample below. All logs must include the photo in question. Do NOT email the photo to me. Any logs without an appropriate photo will be deled without warning.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.