This collection consists of files relating to Irish Lights during World War I, and the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, covering the period 1914-1931. The files contain reports, letters and telegrams from Lightkeepers and other Irish Lights personnel around the coast; correspondence with the government and state bodies including the British Army and Navy, members of Dail Eireann and the new Departments of the State; and instructions, memoranda and official documents issued to Irish Lights by Government Departments and State bodies. Topics covered include reducing or extinguishing lights ; submarine sightings and attacks ; rescue of shipwrecked crews; and raids on lighthouses.

Files contains documents re instruction from Admiralty Hydrographer that all Lights around the coast of Ireland be re-exhibited.

File contains letters from Joseph Higginbotham, Principal Keeper Rathlin O'Birne, re instructions as to Lighting; and Commander in Chief Royal Navy Coast of Ireland, regarding character reference for Joseph Higginbotham.

Files contain documents regarding removal of explosives at Loop Head by British Army during the Irish War of Independence, and a Raid carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces during the Civil War. Included below are extracts from reports by J. Crowley, Principal Keeper: May-June 1920: station visited by RIC and British Army to inspect stores of Explosives. Explosives were removed by British Army ; September 1920: explosives again removed by British Army ; 13 January 1923: Station raided by a party of armed and masked men at 11 pm. Telephone apparatus carried off. Included are details of all explosives at Fog-Signal Stations round the coast of Ireland on 1 February 1920; and Notice to Mariners re temporary discontinuance of Loop head Explosive Fog Signal.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Mizen Head during and after the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army. The purpose of the Raids were to seize explosives used for firing explosive Fog Signal. Included below are extracts from reports by J. J. Treeby, Principal Keeper and J. J. Duggan, Assistant Keeper: summary of Police Reports as to the storage of explosives at Fog Signal Stations around the coast of Ireland ; 16 May 1920: Station raided 1.35 am and all ammunition removed. Telephone cut ; 31 July 1920: Station raided by armed and masked men who removed 2200 charges and 2000 detonators. Irish Lights advise against replenishing stock ; August 1920: Possibility of having to discontinue Explosive Fog Signal. Inspector suggests temporary reed horn signal and purchase of Acetylene Gun Signal ; 1 July 1921: station raided by 5 armed men. Telephone wires cut and complete instrument carried off ; 1 January 1922: stable broken into by persons unknown and several scaffolding planks carried off.

File contains report of Obstruction to Navigation in Tralee Bay. Further includes reports of the sinking of a Norwegian Steamer (April 1916), and newspaper cuttings re seizure of arms in Tralee Bay and arrest of Sinn Fein Volunteers (24 April 1916).

File contains report from J. Rowlands, Commander of SS 'Ierne', of rescue of Crew Norwegian SS 'Storstad'. The SS 'Ierne' picked up a waterlogged lifeboat containing Chief Officer and 13 Crew and landed them at Valentia.

File contains report from R. Somers, Principal Keeper, regarding Carbide etc. stolen from Haulbowline: 17 October 1922: P. K. reports that on his liberty ashore he found the Carbide Store broken open and five 1 cwt. drums of Carbide, with about 20 fms. of 2" rope taken away. He has informed the Police at Kilkeel. There is no one living at the Station when he is on Rock, as his wife is dead and all his family are away.

File contains report from D. Hamilton, Principal Keeper Howth Pier, of Howth Pier Lighthouse hit with three rifle bullets at 1 a.m. One pane of glass in Lantern riddled; Light Apparatus uninjured.

File contains instructions from Rear Admiral at Kingstown for reduction of Howth Baily Light.

File contains report from W. Glanville, Principal Keeper, regarding Raid on Kilcredaun Lighthouse during the Irish Civil War. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces: 13 January 1923: Station raided by a party of armed and masked men at 9pm who carried off the telephone.

File contains correspondence with Admiralty re reduction in the power of Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) East Light to add to the safety of Mail Boats entering and leaving the Harbour.

File contains letter and telegram from, A. O'Leary, Assistant Keeper Straw Island, reporting dead body of a woman washed ashore believed to be from the 'Lusitania'.

File contains documents regarding Raids on Poer Head in 1923 during the Civil War. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces. The purpose of the Raids were to seize explosives used for firing explosive Fog Signal. Included below is an extract from report by F. Coupe, Principal Keeper: 23 March 1923: Station was raided by armed men at 11.30 am on 23 inst. A long list of items were carried off including signal rocket, tools, rope, paint, lead, paraffin oil, telescope, binoculars.

File contains letters from H. Crowley, Principal Keeper Broadhaven, reporting sighting of suspicious object (May 1915) and sinking of SS 'Aranmore', torpedoed by German submarine (March 1916).

File contains letters from J. Glanville, Principal Keeper Mutton Island, reporting dates Mutton Island Light and Margaretta Buoy Light extinguished and lighted.

File contains report from T. Glanville, Principal Keeper, regarding Raid on Blacksod Lighthouse after the Irish War of Independence. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 15 May 1922: Station raided by party of men at 2.30 am. No damage done and nothing taken.

File contains letter from W. Glanville, Principal Keeper Kilcredaun, reporting Patrol Boats mine sweeping in vicinity of Station (June 1917).

Files contain report from M. Byrne, Principal Keeper, regarding Raids on Rotten Lighthouse during and after the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 13 February 1921: Station raided by armed and masked men. Telescope carried off ; 15 March 1922: at 4 p.m. on evening of 15th instant six men landed at Station, armed with revolvers, and were more or less abusive.

File contains Rolls of Honour for Irish Lights employees serving in the British Armed Forces during World War I. The Rolls of Honour were provided for publication in the 'Irish Civil Service Year Book' and for the British & Foreign Sailors' Society.

File contains report from J. Rowlands, Commander of SS 'Ierne', of assistance rendered to SS 'Arlington Court' by towing sinking vessel into Berehaven.

File contains report from J. Devaney, Principal Keeper Rockabill, regarding a Police Search of the lighthouse premises for illicit spirits.

File contains reports from W. Eager, Principal Keeper Hook Tower, of sighting several Patrol Boats sunk in the area having struck mines. Also included are details of a large Barque torpedoed and sunk on 29 April 1917.

File contains letters from Thomas F. Ryan, Principal Keeper Blackhead, with details of: ships torpedoed and sunk near Station (February 1915 and December 1917) ; actions taken in reporting Enemy submarine (May 1918).