When it comes to the illustrious history of lighthouses in Ireland, one name stands out – George Halpin.

In 1800, George was Inspector of Works in the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin (usually called the Ballast Board). He was responsible for supervising the construction of new docks, bridges and other projects for Dublin Port. When the Ballast Board became responsible for lighthouses in 1810, George was appointed Inspector of Lighthouses as well as Inspector of Works.

At that time there were only 14 lighthouses around the coast of Ireland. By the time the Ballast Board handed over responsibility for lighthouses to the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 1867 that number soared to 72 lighthouses. A builder by trade, with no formal engineering qualifications, George designed and supervised the construction of over 50 lighthouses around the coast of Ireland in almost as many (44) years. He also oversaw the modernisation of those original 14 lighthouses.