Overview
Ferris Point stopped looking like a lighthouse in 1976, when its Victorian tower was replaced by a square, black-glass cabin that resembles an airport control tower more than a beacon. The light itself was switched off for good in 1994, but the site never closed: it now runs as the harbour control hub for the busy Port of Larne, guarding the eastern entrance to Lough Larne at the northern tip of the Islandmagee peninsula in County Antrim.
A History of Light & Navigation
The need for a navigational aid here was first raised by Larne shipowners around 1828, who petitioned for a light to safely guide vessels into the harbour. Construction began in 1838 on land donated by local landowner Thomas Ferris, and the original Larne Lough Lighthouse first exhibited its light on 1 February 1839. Keeper’s cottages followed shortly after, and the site quickly became a working buoy depot and storage facility for the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Life on the station evolved over the decades. In the 1890s, keepers and their families were temporarily relocated to the nearby Maidens Lighthouse, with new double-storey houses erected at Ferris Point around 1900. By 1906, the Principal Keeper at Ferris Point also took charge of the Maidens station, with assistant keepers rotating between the two sites and the nearby Barr Point fog-signal. This shared-keeper arrangement continued until 1951.
The transition to modern navigation began in earnest in 1957, when the light was converted from oil to electricity. A major modernisation in 1976 replaced the original 19th-century tower with the present square, glass-enclosed control tower. Designed more like an air traffic control cabin, it became the regional operations centre for monitoring fog signals, buoys, the Maidens light, and the Chaine Tower across the lough. The site also served as a helicopter base for maintenance crews servicing rock and island lights around Northern Ireland.
By the early 1990s, advancements in harbour lighting and the installation of a directional light at Chaine Tower made the Ferris Point beacon redundant. The original tower’s lantern was removed in 1991, and the light was officially discontinued in 1994. Rather than being abandoned, the site was repurposed, continuing its long tradition of maritime support as the Port of Larne’s navigation control hub.
What to See & Do
Be clear on what a visit is: you can’t go inside an active control tower, so this is a roadside-and-coastal-walk stop, and the setting does most of the work.
- Modern Control Tower: The 1976 tower offers an excellent vantage point for observing the Port of Larne in action. While the tower itself is not open to the public, its black-glass control room is highly visible from the surrounding paths and creates a distinctive silhouette against the sky.
- Coastal Walks: Ferris Point sits along the northern stretch of the Islandmagee peninsula, an ideal area for coastal walking. Trails in the vicinity wind along headlands and past quiet coves, offering sweeping views of Lough Larne, the Irish Sea, and the rolling green hills of Antrim. Keep an eye out for seals, puffins, and other seabirds that frequent the rocky shores.
- Photography: The juxtaposition of the sleek, modern control tower, historic keeper’s buildings, and the working harbour makes Ferris Point a compelling subject for photographers. Early morning or late afternoon light brings out the reflective qualities of the glass control room, while changing weather conditions add drama to the coastal backdrop.
- Ferry Watching: The lighthouse overlooks one of Northern Ireland’s busiest maritime routes. Ferries crossing to Cairnryan in Scotland pass close to the point, providing a steady stream of maritime activity to watch from the roadside or nearby footpaths.
Practical Information
Ferris Point Lighthouse is an active operational site and is not open for interior visits. However, it can be viewed freely from the public road and adjacent footpaths at no cost. The tower is owned and managed by Larne Harbour Ltd, which oversees the harbour’s navigation aids and port operations.
Parking is available along the roadside near the lighthouse access point. Visitors should exercise caution when parking, as spaces can be limited, and ensure vehicles do not obstruct access for harbour or emergency vehicles. The area is best visited during daylight hours for safety and optimal viewing. There are no seasonal closures, but access to certain coastal paths may be affected by weather or high tides.
For the most current information on port operations or local access conditions, visitors can contact Larne Harbour Ltd directly via their official website or phone directory.
Nearby Attractions
Ferris Point sits at the gateway to several other maritime and coastal highlights in the area:
- Maidens Lighthouse: A pair of historic 19th-century towers standing on a rocky islet at the northern entrance to Lough Larne, offering dramatic views of the North Channel.
- Chaine Tower: A restored Martello tower on the opposite side of the harbour entrance, now serving as a memorial and viewing platform.
- Islandmagee Coastal Trails: The peninsula is dotted with quiet beaches, historic sites, and walking routes that highlight the natural beauty of East Antrim’s coastline.
- Antrim Coast and Glens: A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that stretches south from Larne, featuring dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and world-famous geological formations.
Time a visit for a Cairnryan ferry crossing the lough mouth, walk the headland for the seals and seabirds, and don’t expect to get past the gate: the tower is a working office, not a museum.