The Environment Agency is proposing to offer listed status to Blackhead Lighthouse and associated buildings and include a Kilroot cemetery on its database of sites of historic or architectural interest.

The octagonal lighthouse was built in 1901, when it was painted red, and used a six-wick oil lamp until electrification in 1965 - automation followed in 1975. A vent to let out smoke and heat from the oil lamp can still be seen.

It was designed by William Douglass, Engineer to the Commissioners of Irish Lights, to complement the lighthouse at Mew Island on the opposite side of the entrance to Belfast Lough.

NIEA proposes a B+ listing for the lighthouse, a fog signal station at the cliff edge and two munitions stores - the fog signal consisted of one blast of tonite explosive every five minutes.

A B+ listing is also proposed for the former superintendent’s house and the former lighthouse keepers’ houses, built around the same time as the lighthouse itself and now available for rental by holidaymakers.

The graveyard, at Fort Road, is located next to the ruins of a 16th century building often known as the Bishop’s House and contains the site of an earlier church.

The earliest known headstone dates from 1743, with burials continuing well into the 20th century, although human remains dating back to the medieval period have been found at the site.

New surveys have been carried out on the listed Dobbin’s Inn and First Trust Bank on High Street, Carrickfergus, with no change in the status of either building.