Upgrade works granted for Fanad lighthouse

Fanad Lighthouse will be transformed after major upgrade works were granted.

Donegal County Council has given planning permission for the work, which will significantly enhance the visitor experience at the popular amenity.

The lighthouse is one of Donegal’s best known sites, overlooking Lough Swilly.

A new multi-use visitors experience centre, spanning 963 square metres, will be constructed as part of the works.

Conditional planning permission has been granted to Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The works will also see 22 new car making spaces and three bus spaces added as well as an additional bus drop off area, external seating area and a children’s play area.

The development will include a partial demolition of the existing ticket office and shop to facilitate the works.

Improved landscaping, boundary treatments, pedestrian access and public lighting will also be included.

Fanad lighthouse has been a working lighthouse since 1817 and was opened to the public as a visitor attraction in 2016. The not-for-profit social enterprise is operated voluntarily by Forbairt Fhánada Cuideachta.

The planning permission is subject to 20 conditions set down by the local authority.

They include a series of conditions to cater for orderly development, traffic safety, the interest of visual amenity and flood prevention.