Campaigners seek support to keep lighthouse beam

Campaigners seek support to keep lighthouse beam

16 July 2025

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the controversial plan to downgrade the beam at St John’s Point Lighthouse near Killough have urged local politicians to ensure they reinforce Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s opposition to the proposal.

The Dublin-based Commissioner (CIL) is seeking approval to reduce the scale of the lighthouse beam and replace a mercury bath— on which the lighthouse’s giant lamp rotates — with a ball bearing mechanism.

Billed as an “engineering upgrade”, CIL insists the work, which includes replacing a 1000 watt high energy lamp with a 90 watt LED bulb, is necessary and will improve reliability. 

In addition, the Commissioners say the existing high energy lamp will soon become unavailable due to energy efficiency regulation changes which will make it impossible to source.

CIL insists the proposed work will retain the rotating Fresnel lens and unique flash character of the light.

They say what they are proposing is similar to projects which have already been completed at Tory Island, Rathlin West and Rathlin East lighthouses and is based on extensive research.

CIL is planning to reduce the range of the light down to 18 miles, retain the existing auxiliary light with an LED equivalent, provide full emergency lanterns and remove an existing diesel generator and its fuel source and provide a battery back up.

There are also plans to remove the existing wall lining to expose the original masonry on the lighthouse tower, with the work aimed at reducing cost and maintenance requirements.

CIL insists the planned investment also aims to “provide opportunities for realising the tourism potential of the site” with the work taking place — if listed building consent is secured.

CIL has described the Fresnel lens as an “exceptional work of engineering”.

But it says current UK regulations require organisations to put processes in place to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury, including phasing out of its use where alternatives are available.

Opposition to the scheme has been led by the Lecale Lightkeepers, who say a report carried out by consultants on behalf of CIL contains nothing new.

The six-page report, which has been presented to the planners, is in response to issues raised by the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division.

Campaigners claim the beam, which they have described as Killough’s “most valuable heritage asset”, would be lost forever.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council voted unanimously to protect St John’s Point lighthouse from alteration and LEDs and this democratic mandate must be adhered to,” a Lecale Lightkeepers spokesperson said.

“We trust councillors will continue to act to protect our rare and historic light.”

The campaigners are appealing to the council not to renege on its support for the battle to protect the historic light in its present mechanism.

They contend that fitting LEDs at other lighthouses has not been successful and dismissed CIL claims that the mercury bath at the Killough lighthouse poses a health risk, labelling them a “red herring”.

The Lecale Lightkeepers hope the application for listed building consent is refused, warning that if it’s approved, it will bring about a “material change” at the lighthouse.

They say while CIL is proposing to retain the Fresnel lens, it plans to remove its equally historic Bourdelles rotation system because of its unjustified claim about the toxic danger of mercury in the equipment.

The campaign group wants the current beam, historic Fresnel lens and rotating mechanism retained and utilised as an important element of living history, and not solely a navigational aid, for generations to come.

The spokesperson added: “The intrinsic character of the lighthouse is its historic sweeping beam which must not be altered, nor diminished. While we understand the need to modernise, we draw the line at the destruction of the sweeping beam that the Killough lighthouse produces.”