The Board inspector, however, ruled in favor of locating the new lighthouses on Eagle Island, one in the east and the other in the west, with 121 metres (132 yd) between them, at a cost of almost £40,000 (roughly £3,200,000 or €5,730,000 in 2023).

[1] Eagle Island is located close to the edge of the Continental Shelf and is constantly pounded by powerful waves from the Atlantic.

Despite the erection of a massive storm wall to protect the lighthouses, the lights were repeatedly hit by waves coming off the Atlantic.

On 11 March 1861 at midday the light room of the East tower was struck by a rogue wave, smashing 23 panes, washing some of the lamps down the stairs, and damaging the reflectors with broken glass beyond repair.

The families on the island were rehoused near to Corclough on the mainland at the end of the 19th century, although lighthouse keepers remained resident.