Chaine Memorial

Chaine Memorial in Larne is a granite tower on the western side of the entrance to Larne Lough, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It copies the form of a medieval Irish round tower, yet it has worked as a lighthouse since the end of the 19th century. Locals also call it the Chaine Tower. It stands in memory of James Chaine, who died in 1885.

Who was James Chaine, and why does he have a tower?

Chaine sat in Parliament as a member for Antrim. In Larne he is remembered as the man who pushed the town's growth as a port, backing the short sea crossing to Scotland and the idea of Larne as a stop for transatlantic traffic. After his death a memorial committee raised funds to honour him. A lit tower was the first idea, but the Commissioners of Irish Lights turned the request down in 1885. The committee therefore built the tower without a lamp, and the Larne harbour authority took on its upkeep. Sources disagree on the completion date, giving either 1887 or 1888.

What does the tower look like?

It is a cylindrical granite structure under a conical cap, modelled on the old Irish round towers. Published heights range from about 23 m to 28 m, and one source gives the base width as 7.5 m. It occupies the Sandy Point headland, with views over the mouth of the lough and, in clear weather, toward the Scottish coast.

What is the story of its light?

A light was suggested in 1896. From 1899 the Commissioners of Irish Lights took over responsibility, and the tower began operating as a lighthouse. Its beam warns ships of Hunter Rock, a submerged hazard several miles offshore. In 1905 the lighthouse was automated and switched to coal gas, with electric power coming later. Chaine himself was buried upright on a slope overlooking Larne Lough, close to Sandy Point.

Can you go inside?

This is not a ticketed attraction. Most visitors admire it from outside and walk the shoreline around it. The building has also been offered as holiday accommodation, so interior access depends on a booking rather than opening hours.

How do you get there?

The tower lies north of the centre of Larne at the mouth of the lough, along the Antrim coast. From the town it is a short drive, and the coastal walk is popular with people exploring the Causeway Coastal Route. Larne has a train link to Belfast and a ferry port serving Scotland, so the tower fits well into a day around a crossing.

When should you visit?

Late spring and summer give long days and good visibility across the water, which suits photography and walking. The coast is often windy, so bring a warm layer even in summer. Autumn and winter look more dramatic, though paths can be wet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Chaine Memorial? It is a lighthouse tower in Larne built as a monument to James Chaine, the Antrim MP who died in 1885.

Is it a working lighthouse? Its light has warned sailors about Hunter Rock since the Commissioners of Irish Lights took it over in 1899.

Is it a genuine medieval round tower? No. It is a 19th-century building styled after the early Irish round towers.

How long should I allow? About an hour is enough to see the tower from outside and stroll the nearby shore.