It was built in the early 19th century to help guide shipping into the newly constructed harbour, which acted as the terminus for the packet service between Ireland and England.

[1][2] Ongoing delays in getting packet boats unloaded at the Pigeon House at the mouth of the Liffey, near Ringsend, meant that an alternative harbour was deemed necessary.

Halpin complained in June 1818 that the lighthouse was "neither ready for a lightkeeper nor suitably constructed for lighting the harbour.

But the necessity for the light was justified by Halpin due to the use of the harbour for sheltering ships in bad weather.

It had a glass drum lens in a buoy lantern, and after modernisation in 2010, it operates with six halogen lamps, on a mains electric supply and battery.