Save St John’s Point Lighthouse — Protect Its Historic Light
We are calling on the relevant authorities to protect St John’s Lighthouse and preserve its historic Bourdelles-Fresnel lighting system, which has operated for generations and forms an irreplaceable part of our maritime heritage.

St John’s is the tallest lighthouse on the mainland of Ireland, one of the Twelve Great Lighthouses of Ireland, and was the first Irish lighthouse to have the historic Bourdelles-Fresnel system installed. It is now one of the last — and, according to the information presented to the community, the only remaining Irish lighthouse still operating with this historic system.

The existing light produces its distinctive sweeping beam, visible across a wide area of County Down, and has provided a familiar navigational reference to mariners and coastal communities for generations. The current beam is stated to reach up to 27 nautical miles, while the proposed LED system would significantly reduce its range.

We are concerned that replacing the historic system with a modern LED and rotating ball-bearing mechanism would mean the loss of an important piece of 19th-century engineering and intangible maritime heritage. It would also fundamentally change the character and experience of the lighthouse for the thousands of people who see and value its beam every night.

There are also concerns about wildlife and the environment. St John’s is situated within an area of significant environmental protection, including the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark, AONB, SAC, SPA, MPA and ASSI designations. The existing warm, focused light is described in the supporting information as wildlife-friendly, while concerns have been raised about the potential effects of high-intensity white LED lighting on birds, nocturnal species and marine life.
St John’s Lighthouse also represents a major opportunity for sustainable tourism in Lecale and County Down. Its unique working historic light could attract visitors throughout the year, particularly during evenings, winter and other quieter periods, while showcasing an extraordinary piece of living maritime heritage.

This is not simply about keeping an old light. It is about protecting a working piece of history, maintaining an important navigational landmark, respecting our environment, supporting future tourism, and preserving something that generations of local people have grown up with and continue to cherish.

We ask that St John’s Lighthouse be preserved as it is, including its historic Bourdelles-Fresnel system, and that any proposal to remove or replace it is reconsidered.

Please sign this petition and help us protect St John’s Lighthouse for mariners, our community, wildlife, visitors and future generations. 

For more information follow our campaign on facebook at " Lecale Light Keepers"