Point of Ayr Lighthouse
{{Short description|Former lighthouse in Flintshire, Wales}}
{{about|the lighthouse in North Wales|the lighthouse on the Isle of Man|Point of Ayre Lighthouse}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name = Point of Ayr Lighthouse
Talacre Lighthouse
| image_name = Talacre-lighthouse2.jpg
| caption = Point of Ayr lighthouse, at Talacre beach
| location = Talacre
Wales
United Kingdom
| coordinates = {{coord|53.357044|-3.322174|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt = 1776
| yeardeactivated = 1844
| construction = brick tower
| shape = tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
| marking = white tower, black lantern, red lantern dome
| height = {{convert|18|m|ft}}
}}
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.{{cite rowlett|cym|accessdate=3 June 2016}}[http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/tourist-attractions/Landmarks/Wales12690.htm Point of Ayr Lighthouse] Wales Directory. Retrieved 3 June 2016
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = Chester Lighthouse Act 1776
| type = Act
| parliament = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title = An Act for erecting a Lighthouse or Lighthouses, and Land Marks, in or near the Port of Chester; and for placing Buoys upon the Banks and Shoals leading into and in the said Port; and for regulating of Pilots and Persons towing or tracking of Vessels to and from the City of Chester; and for fixing the Rates payable for the same respectively.
| year = 1776
| citation = 16 Geo. 3. c. 61
| introduced_commons =
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| territorial_extent =
| royal_assent = 21 May 1776
| commencement =
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History
It was authorised by the {{visible anchor|Chester Lighthouse Act 1776}} (16 Geo. 3. c. 61) and built in 1776{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverflintshire.co.uk/Things-to-do/Natural-Beauty/Talacre-Beach|website=Discover Flintshire|title=Talacre Beach|publisher=Flintshire Tourism Association|accessdate=11 April 2016|archive-date=4 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404105527/http://www.discoverflintshire.co.uk/Things-to-do/Natural-Beauty/Talacre-Beach|url-status=dead}} by a trust of the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of Chester to warn ships entering between the Dee and the Mersey Estuary. It was replaced by a pile light and was decommissioned in 1844.{{cite book|author=Douglas Bland Hague|editor-last=Hughes|editor-first=Stephen|title=Lighthouses of Wales: Their Architecture and Archaeology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l6-7002hjXgC&pg=PA6|year=1994|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales|isbn=978-1-871184-08-2|pages=40–41}} It is now a privately owned property.
The lighthouse was listed for sale in 2011{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/yours-100000-haunted-lighthouse-great-1794462|title=Yours for £100,000: the haunted lighthouse with great views and a resident ghost|website=Wales Online|date=4 November 2011 |publisher=Media Wales LTD|accessdate=4 November 2011}} by then owner James McAllister, along with two acres of land, for £100,000. It was eventually sold in April 2012 for £90,000{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/landmark-flintshire-lighthouse-sold-2664703|title= Landmark Flintshire lighthouse sold |website=Daily Post|publisher=Trinity Mirror Merseyside|accessdate=20 April 2011}} to a private couple who continue to own the property. Two alleged incidents have been reported by Wales Online.
File:'Keeper' at the Point of Ayr Lighthouse geograph - 2583997.jpg
In 2009, the BBC{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/8183123.stm|title=Permanent 'ghost' for lighthouse|website=BBC|date=5 August 2009|publisher=BBC|accessdate=5 August 2009}} 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{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/sculpture-honours-talacre-lighthouse-ghost-2754135|title= Sculpture honours Talacre lighthouse ghost |website=Daily Post|date= 23 June 2010 |publisher=Trinity Mirror Merseyside|accessdate=24 June 2010}} 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 and the sculpture was relocated.
File:Diwrnod gwirfoddoli CNC Medi 2018 - NRW volunteering day September 2018.webm
In 2007 the lighthouse was damaged by storms{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/6499703.stm|title=Storms damage historic lighthouse
|website=BBC| date=28 March 2007 |publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 March 2007}} 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{{cite web|last1=Boyd|first1=Andrew|url=http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/101223/paint-dog-s-comeback-at-popular-tourist-site.aspx|title=Paint dog's comeback at popular tourist site|website=Leader Live|publisher=NWN Media|accessdate=13 April 2011|archive-date=20 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420110918/http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/101223/paint-dog-s-comeback-at-popular-tourist-site.aspx|url-status=dead}} by paint manufacturer Dulux. The advertisement was designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of their Old English Sheepdog mascot.
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Wales|Engineering}}}}
References
{{Commons category|Point of Ayr Lighthouse}}
{{reflist}}
{{Lighthouses in Wales}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Grade II listed buildings in Flintshire
Category:Reportedly haunted locations in Wales
Category:Lighthouses completed in 1776