The light was established on 15 January 1876 after the Duke of Abercorn requested better lighting for the lough. The cottage and lantern were built by McClelland & Co. of Derry, featuring an original optic supplied by the famous Chance Brothers of Birmingham. The light was converted to an unwatched acetylene system in 1927, meaning the lighthouse keeper no longer had to keep a night watch. It was later converted to electricity in 1969. In 2015, a modern, utilitarian light tower was installed just in front of the historic building to take over active operations. The original, highly picturesque "light-headed cottage" still stands right behind it.