The Inishowen Lighthouse, built in 1837 on Dunagree Point, consists of twin granite towers that once guided ships safely into Lough Foyle and helped them avoid the treacherous Tuns Bank. Each tower originally displayed a fixed white light, with the rear tower later raised by 7.6 meters to improve visibility. An auxiliary light was added in the front tower in 1851 to help sailors distinguish between the two beacons, ensuring safe navigation along the rugged Inishowen coastline.

Over the years, the lighthouse underwent several upgrades to improve safety and efficiency. A siren fog signal was installed in 1900 and replaced by a diaphone in 1942. In 1962, a modern electric light with white, red, and green sectors was installed in the rear tower, while the front tower’s lantern was removed. The station was fully automated and made unwatched in 1979, marking the end of nearly 150 years of hands-on lighthouse keeping.

Life at the lighthouse was once a year-round family affair. Keepers and their assistants lived on-site, rotating weekly days off, with temporary local staff filling in as needed. Supplies like oil and carbide were delivered by ship and cart, and even used materials were repurposed, reflecting the resourcefulness of the keepers. Local stories from the lighthouse highlight the human side of the station, including one where geese belonging to a principal keeper escaped to Greencastle, giving a local family an unexpected Christmas feast—a small but charming reminder of the close-knit community around Inishowen Lighthouse.