Blackrock Island, County Mayo facts for kids
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 Blackrock
Location in Ireland
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| Geography | |||
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| Location | Off coast of County Mayo, Ireland | ||
| Coordinates | 54°04′01″N 10°19′14″W / 54.0669°N 10.3205°W | ||
| Length | 0.4 km (0.25 mi) | ||
| Width | 0.25 km (0.155 mi) | ||
| Highest point | 82 metres (269 ft) (approximate) | ||
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IRL
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| Demographics | |||
| Population | Uninhabited | ||
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Blackrock Island (54°4′0.67″N 10°19′12.66″W / 54.0668528°N 10.3201833°W; Irish: An Tor) is a rocky island rising to a height of 70 metres above sea level and located northwest of Achill Island approximately 12 miles west of Blacksod Bay. Typical rainfall is 72 inches per annum, and the island is often shrouded in mist. It is visible from near the Glosh Tower on the Mullet Peninsula, with reference to the other islands in the area, is sometimes described as the "one that looks like a volcano".
There is a small rocky islet 125 m to the east with a length of 80 m. There are about five rocky islets including Fish Rock, Carrickaduff and Carrackabrown spread 1 km to 2 km in a generally westwards direction.
Toponymy
It is known locally as Tór Mór, and is known as "Black Rock" by Irish Lights.
Waters around Blackrock Island
The waters around Blackrock Island are noted for large ocean swells and waves, as evidenced by the difficulties faced in relieving the lighthouse keepers and with Rescue 116 helicopter wreckage recovery in 2017. Water depths descend to 40 m within a kilometre of the island, with depths of 60 m and lower more typical towards Achill Island. The Blackrock grounds are popular with sea anglers due to the attracting of larger fish species: blue shark; porbeagle; halibut and bluefin tuna.
Blackrock Lighthouse
The lighthouse on Blackrock Island was constructed in 1864. It is a 50-foot-high round stone tower with lantern and gallery attached to a single storey keeper's house. The lighthouse is painted white. It is one of Ireland's most remote lighthouses and the most westerly lighthouse off the Mayo Coast. It was converted to unmanned in 1974 after which the island became uninhabited. The lighthouse was converted to solar power in 1999. The resident lighthouse keeper of Blacksod Lighthouse on the mainland, which is still manned, is also responsible for maintaining the Blackrock lighthouse. Inspection and maintenance visits are periodically made by helicopter (via a helipad on the island), the only way to get to the island on a regular basis. In order to accommodate work-crews on extended maintenance and repair jobs at the lighthouse, one of the old keeper's houses has been restored.
