New lease agreement signed for Loop Head Lighthouse

*Loop Head Lighthouse. Photograph: Valerie O’Sullivan

A twenty five year lease renewal of Loop Head Lighthouse has been signed.

An agreement was reached between Clare County Council and the Commissioner of Irish Lights at the end of February that will see the local authority manage the site for the next quarter of a century at least.

Loop Head Lighthouse reopened to the public as a tourist attraction in 2011 and attracts an approximate 27,000 annual visitors. The facility is managed by Clare County Council and has aided in strengthening the profile of the Loop Head Peninsula.

It is one of 68 lighthouses operated along the Irish coast by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The recently signed lease relates to the property surrounding the lighthouse with a licence agreement in place for the tower.

Such an agreement provides the way forward to further strengthen Loop Head’s tourism offering, Chief Executive of the County Council, Pat Dowling stated.

“This lease renewal between the local authority and commissioners of Irish lights will allow for the development of a stronger tourism offering at Loophead and as such will further enhance the Great Lighthouses of Ireland brand. This brand is an all Ireland initiative showcasing twelve of our lighthouses in stunning locations,” Commercial Services Manager with the Commissioner of Irish Lights, Dave Ward commented.