A record number of people visited Loop Head Lighthouse in County Clare during 2016.
Figures show that 27,274 people visited the lighthouse during the opening period up to Sunday 2 October compared to 27,010 during the same period in 2015. The increase in visitors represents the 5th successive annual increase in visitor numbers at the West Clare landmark.
Clare County Council, which manages the Lighthouse in conjunction with the Commissioner of Irish Lights (CIL), first opened the popular visitor attraction to the public in 2011.
Loop Head Lighthouse, which is steeped in history and rich in maritime heritage with its origins dating back to the 1670s, is a landmark location on the Loop Head Heritage Trail. Situated along the route of the Wild Atlantic Way it is one of 12 Great Lighthouses of Ireland.