Spitbank Lighthouse, Cobh, County Cork

Spitbank is probably the best known of the three pile driven lighthouses about our shores (the others are Dundalk and Moville). As the sun sets on the impressive silhouette of Cobh, County Cork, the warm glow of the Spit marks a welcoming way post for returning sailors.

This used to be a two-tower station, but it was eventually decided that one would suffice and the second was partly destroyed to keep out of the way of the beam of the remaining lantern. The black tower might seem a poor colour choice, but from sea level, its silhouette is easily visible against the background.