To help aid navigation, Howth lighthouse was constructed in 1817 to help guide shipping. Howth itself is a pennisular situated to the northern boundary of Dublin bay and in the 19th century, Howth was chosen as the location for a new harbour for packet trade and ships. This ships were small, fast, lightly armoured and designed for domestic mail, passenger, and freight transport. The print shows three individuals stranded on the rocks as their ship is pushed against the rocks, referred to as the Needles. While the print is undated, it is likely an illustration from the Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1835. The print is seen again as the front engraving to 'The People's Gallery of Engravings Vol. 2.', published in 1845. From 1833-1843, George Petrie worked as head of the Topographical Department of the Irish Ordanace Survey, It was likely during this time when Petrie drew the image of Howth lighthouse as part of a wider survey of the coastline.
This object was audited and researched as part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Data Hunters and Story Gatherers project.
