The Plan focuses specifically on the visual aids needed for safe navigation in the changing marine environment and presents the GLAs' plan in respect of lighthouses, beacons, major floating aids, buoys, day-marks and other forms of visual aid required for safe navigation in their areas of responsibility. This plan reflects the level of service the GLAs will provide to all users, taking advantage of technological and operational improvements forecast in AtoN service provision.
Visual AtoN Plan

Joint Navigation Requirements Policies

The joint Navigation Requirements Policies (JNRP) of the three GLA on a wide variety of matters relating to navigation policy and aids to navigation have been comprehensively revised (December 2007). Each policy will be updated as required as web documents. Users requiring hard copies of the JNRP should contact marine@cil.ie
Joint Navigation Requirements Policies

Aids to Navigation Review 2005

The General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland carry out a formal review of the Aids to Navigation provided to ensure they are cost effective and continue to meet the present and changing need of all mariners.
Aids to Navigation Review 2005

2020 The Vision

2020 The Vision represents a marine aid to navigation strategy which is undertaken approximately every five years and is intended to inform our user community and to aid the coastal navigation review and planning of requirements into the future.
2020 The Vision

GLA Radionavigation Plan

The GLA's Radio Navigation Plan (GRNP) is a core component in delivering their Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy - known as "2020 The Vision". It focuses specifically upon Radio Navigation systems and their role within the overall Aid to Navigation service provision mix.
GLA Radionavigation Plan Vessel Traffic Services Brochure

Fastnet 100 music

As part of the centenary of the Fastnet Lighthouse, The Board of Irish Lights commissioned a piece of music from Grainne Mulvey to commemorate the occasion.

Two Reflections for tape, 2003-4 commemorating the centenary of the Fastnet Lighthouse
the sea and the tower (4.7 MB Windows Media File) the light (5.6 MB Windows Media File)

First performance

Irish Lights Pembroke St. Office,Dublin on Friday 3 September 2004 at 12.30 Programme note: Last year I was very fortunate to spend one night in July on the Fastnet Lighthouse. The experience will be forever etched on my mind-the weather was good and I was able to view the wonderful panorama and experience the thrill of being totally isolated, surrounded by the sea and the elements. The helicopter trip was terrific and it took only a few minutes to arrive. It is an amazing sight to view the magnitude and splendour of the tower from the air and the view from the helipad makes one feel dwarfed. I was happy to have the freedom to roam the entire lighthouse, which enabled me to make video and audio recordings on each floor. These audio recordings form the basis of the first part of this piece. Since the lowest floors comprise the engines which run everything in the tower, I set about recording them first and then recorded every sound source available, including the radio transmissions, the foghorn, right up to the light which has a quieter crackling sound. Outside, sounds of nature-seagulls, the sea, wind and waves crashing against the rocks-were also an invaluable stimulus. Initially I envisaged writing the piece for instruments and electronics. In the end, however, I decided to use tape and computer alone-the technology of the 21st century paying homage to that of the twentieth. The first track, the sea and the tower, uses exclusively location recordings. the sea forms the constant backdrop. Sounds of seagulls and the ebb and flow of the tide contrast with the outbursts of man-made noise from within the tower. The second section, the light, is purely electronic (i.e. electronically generated tones), and thus represents a personal reflection of my experience of the tower. Variations in light-both natural light and that from the lighthouse-are the principal inspiration here. The play of light on the open sea, broken suddenly by a crashing wave; the gradual shading from full daylight, through dusk, to night; the sudden flash of a seagull caught in the lighthouse beam; and, calmly watching over all, the regular pulsing of the lighthouse itself, once every five seconds, echoed in the fading pulse at the close of the piece. Gráinne Mulvey July 2004

Biography of Gráinne Mulvey