Commissioners of Irish Lights

12/10/2026

The unveiling of a permanent memorial to the victims of the RMS Leinster this weekend in Dun Laoghaire was a significant moment in preserving the memory of those who lost their lives on 10 October 1918.

As the anniversary of the tragedy was marked, Irish Lights was proud to support the commemorations and reflect on archival records that offer insight into the response of the maritime community in the weeks following the sinking.

06/10/2026

As our seas become busier, safe navigation remains a cornerstone of sustainable marine spatial planning around the island of Ireland. Irish Lights helps ensure that shipping, offshore energy, fisheries, aquaculture, environmental protection and recreation can coexist safely by providing expert navigation advice, marine aids to navigation, risk assessment support and maritime data. Through collaboration with developers, regulators and coastal stakeholders, Irish Lights supports informed decision-making and the safe management of change in the marine environment. Our goal is simple: safer seas, protected marine users, and resilient maritime infrastructure that supports sustainable growth for future generations.

24/09/2026

Today, on World Maritime Day, Irish Lights joins the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in recognising the importance of turning policy into practice to deliver safe, secure and environmentally responsible shipping. Through our aids to navigation, maritime safety services and support for seafarers, we help underpin the objectives of the SOLAS Convention, ensuring mariners can navigate safely and efficiently around the coast of Ireland.

Learn more about World Maritime Day: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/world-maritime-day-2026-from-policy-to-practice.aspx

of Transport

17/09/2026

Irish Lights is proud to support BBC Radio 3's 'Where the Light Sings', a unique live broadcast exploring the connection between music, storytelling and lighthouses. We're delighted that Rathlin West Lighthouse will feature as one of six locations taking part. The programme is supported by the three General Lighthouse Authorities: Commissioners of Irish Lights, Trinity House and Northern Lighthouse Board.

Tune in on 26 September from 8am-8pm.

Full details at:

Rathlin West Lighthouse Features on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Where the Light Sings’ special twelve-hour live coastal broadcast from six lighthouses

09/09/2026

Over 90% of Ireland’s trade moves by sea, and Irish Lights plays a critical role in keeping that trade moving safely. Irish Lights Aids to Navigation network and coastal monitoring systems ensure that vessels can operate efficiently and securely around our coasts. ILV Granuaile is central to these operations delivering the offshore maintenance, inspection and response capability that keeps the AtoN network reliable and resilient.

17/07/2026

16/07/2026

Irish Lights and the General Lighthouse Authorities Research & Development team (GRAD) hosted a workshop last week on emerging maritime technologies and the future of safe, sustainable and resilient navigation. Discussions focused on strengthening Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in response to growing GNSS vulnerabilities, with insights on eLoran, Radar Absolute Position Fixing, VDES R‑Mode, inertial systems, quantum sensors, and AIS authentication.

IALA outlined the impact of the International Hydrographic Office S‑100 and S‑200 data standards for flag and coastal states in the context of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) responsibilities, highlighting the need for secure, interoperable maritime data and the potential role of SECOM and the Maritime Connectivity Platform in enabling trusted, cyber‑resilient information exchange.

Climate resilience was also central. Irish Lights shared findings from its climate risk assessment of 300 assets across nine climate hazards, while GRAD presented research on forecasting, infrastructure resilience, and adaptation planning. The workshop also explored modernising lighthouse lighting systems by combining advanced LEDs with traditional optics.

A productive session with plenty of engaging discussion on the future of maritime navigation.

https://www.irishlights.ie/who-we-are/news/irish-lights-and-grad-host-workshop.aspx

GLA Research & Development