Native name: | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Chicken Rock and its 19th-century lighthouse | |
 Interactive map of Chicken Rock | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Irish Sea |
| Coordinates | 54°02′16″N 04°50′19″W / 54.03778°N 4.83861°W |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Rushen |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Chicken Rock (Manx: Carrick ny Kirkey) is an isolated rock and the southernmost island administered by the Isle of Man. Situated in the Irish Sea, it lies approximately 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) southwest of Spanish Head on the Manx mainland, and about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the Calf of Man. Administratively, the rock falls under the parish of Rushen.
The rock itself is largely a submerged reef at high tide, presenting a historical hazard to shipping navigating the southern coast of the Isle of Man. It is best known for its prominent 19th-century lighthouse.[1]
Lighthouse
The need for a light on Chicken Rock was formally recognized in 1866. Prior to its construction, maritime traffic relied on two lighthouses on the nearby Calf of Man. However, Trinity House noted that the Calf of Man lights were frequently obscured by low-lying fog, leaving vessels vulnerable to the reef and nearby Langness.[2]
The task of engineering the new lighthouse was given to the Scottish brothers David and Thomas Stevenson. The structure is a 44-metre (144 ft) tapered tower constructed from interlocking granite blocks. Because of the harsh wave-swept conditions, the granite was cut and prepared onshore during the winters and laid on the rock over the course of four summer seasons. Construction was completed in December 1874, and the light was first exhibited on 1 January 1875. The total cost of the project was over £64,000.[1][2]
1960 fire and automation
On 23 December 1960, a major fire broke out inside the lighthouse. The blaze caused severe interior damage and trapped the three resident keepers at the top of the burning tower. They were eventually rescued in challenging weather conditions by the RNLI lifeboat from Port St Mary.[2]
The extensive damage required two years of restoration, during which time a temporary light was exhibited from the Calf of Man. The fire ultimately hastened the end of manned operation at the site; when repairs were completed in 1962, the lighthouse was fully automated. Today, the active light continues to be owned and maintained by the Northern Lighthouse Board.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 "Chicken Rock Lighthouse". Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Chicken Rock". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 26 February 2026.