One for the Irish - Why is there a lighthouse in Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland?

Question

Its 30 miles or so from the sea, so whats the story? There appears to be a lighthouse on the hill above this town, and I cant figure out why.

I thought at first it might be a control tower for an airfield, but its too hilly, so there's no airstrip there.

Answer 1

Thats weird, I've never met anything bright in Kells.

Answer 2

that's there years and the guy could look over to his manor house also  from the top

Answer 3

It's to keep ships that stray inland from getting lost and crashing into the hill. There have never been any such incidents so it has obviously worked :-D

Answer 4

Very interesting question - this is the Tower of Lloyd, a folly built in the late eighteenth century to observe horse racing and hunting. It is now a listed building and a most unusual one at that!

For more unusual buildings and facts (mainly about Dublin but some Meath stuff also), please visit my site:

http://www.hidden-dublin.com/metro/metro...

Answer 5

This is the Tower of Lloyd.It was ordered to be built by Lord Headfort,Henry Taylor during the time of the famine to give work to the people of Kells and was an alternative to the workhouse.A testament to this is the inscription on the wall of the tower and the presence of the 'Paupers Cemetery' beside it.In later years the upper room in the tower was used as a restaurant.Today it is only opened at select times during the year eg. the Kells Heritage Festival which takes place in July.