Wink was proud to deliver the lighting design for the historic Round Tower in Clones, Co. Monaghan. This important structure is a central feature of the town’s heritage, and the goal was to enhance its presence at night without compromising the surrounding environment.

The lighting needed to highlight the tower’s architectural form while respecting the unique challenges of its location. With nearby residential properties and a graveyard setting, the project required a highly controlled, site-sensitive solution.

Understanding the Constraints

The tower is situated in close proximity to private homes, meaning any light spill had to be carefully avoided. In addition, its position within a graveyard restricted physical access and ruled out installing fittings at the base of the monument.

All lighting needed to be projected from a distance—ranging between 20 to 40 metres—while still achieving consistent and well-defined illumination across the tower’s height.

Design Development

A detailed design process was undertaken, incorporating lighting calculations and simulations using Dialux software. The focus was on selecting a product and beam configuration that could deliver precision lighting from extended distances, with tight control over beam shape and intensity.

The solution involved narrow beam projectors with a 4º beam angle, paired with elliptical lenses. This combination allowed the light to be shaped into a controlled, vertical beam and directed precisely where required. The lenses were rotated to adjust the beam alignment and achieve a clean, linear wash across the structure.

Installation Strategy

Due to the limitations of the site, the fittings were installed outside the graveyard boundary. Positioning was carefully planned to maintain effective coverage while remaining unobtrusive. Final adjustments were made on-site to refine the beam direction and ensure uniformity across the stone surface.

Final Outcome

The completed installation successfully highlights the tower’s historic features without causing disruption to nearby properties. The use of narrow beams and tailored optics ensured that no light spill or glare reached surrounding homes—something that would not have been possible with standard floodlighting.

The tower now stands as a defined and elegant nighttime landmark, with lighting that enhances its character while remaining respectful of the site’s context.

Project Summary

This project demonstrates Wink’s ability to develop tailored lighting solutions for complex environments. The outcome reflects a careful balance between visual impact, site sensitivity, and technical control.

If you’re managing a heritage or restricted-access site and need a lighting scheme that considers every detail, we’d be happy to advise.