Talacre Lighthouse
Point of Ayr lighthouse, at Talacre beach
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 Wales
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| Location |
Talacre Wales United Kingdom |
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| Coordinates | 53°21′25″N 3°19′20″W / 53.357044°N 3.322174°WCoordinates: 53°21′25″N 3°19′20″W / 53.357044°N 3.322174°W |
| Year first constructed | 1776 (first) 1844 (second) |
| Year first lit | 1883 (Dee lightship) |
| Deactivated | 1844 (first) 1883 (second) |
| Construction | brick tower (first) |
| Tower shape | tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern (first) metal pile lighthouse (second) |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern, red lantern dome (first still up) |
| Height | 18 metres (59 ft) (first) |
| ARLHS number |
WAL-018 |
WAL-018
The Point of Ayr Lighthouse, also known as the Talacre Lighthouse, is a grade II listed building situated on the north coast of Wales, on the Point of Ayr, near the village of Talacre.
It was built in 1776 by a Trust of the Major, Recorder and Aldermen of Chester to warn ships entering between the Dee and the Mersey Estuary. It was eventually fell into disuse and was decommissioned in 1884. It is now a privately owned residential property.
The lighthouse was listed on the property market in November 2011 by then owned James McAllister, along with two acres of land for £100,000. It was eventually sold in April 2012 for £90,000 to a private couple who continue to own the property.
There is a history of paranormal activity being recorded in and around Talacre Lighthouse. One incident noted by Wales Online involved the reported sighting of a person dressed in old fashioned worth clothes standing on the balcony of the lighthouse itself. There were also reports of footprints in the sand leading to the building.
Psychics visiting the site on a separate occasion reported contact with a spirit called Raymond who was once a lighthouse man before dying of a fever.
In August 2009, the BBC reported that planning permission had been sought to erect a "human sculpture" inspired by the reported ghostly sightings on the lighthouse balcony. This application was made by then owner James McAllister who intended it to serve as a "serious art installation".
Local artist Angela Smith was contracted to design the 7 foot stainless steel ‘lighthouse keeper’ with the initial planning permission being approved for a three year period. Permission was not sought to retain the structure after this point by the new owners.
In March 2007, the lighthouse was damaged by storms which resulted in the metal steps leading to the building becoming dislocated and also resulted structural damage with a hole being created in the base according to the BBC.
The cost of repairs was covered by the owners of a local caravan park who were involved in the ownership of the Lighthouse at the time.
The Lighthouse featured in the background in a 2011 TV advertisement by paint manufacturer Dulux. The advertisement was designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of their Old English Sheepdog mascot.
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Wikipedia