61c. Hook Head and Hook Lighthouse, Co Wexford

SCENES from Southeast IRELAND

The RING OF HOOK - places to visit - The Hook Peninsula, County Wexford

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Coastal Scenes near Hook Head Lighthouse

The coastal scene south of Hook Head Lighthouse.

Hook Head lighthouse is right on the southern-most tip of the Hook Head Peninsular.

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The view north from Hook Head Lighthouse across the estuary of the great River Suir

Hook Head lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world and is partly a Norman early 13th century structure built by the Earl of Pembroke as part of his development of his 'Lordship of Leinster and so has been in continuous use for nearly 800 years. There is an interesting visitor centre, cafe and gift shop.

The treacherous rocks off Hook Head.

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View of Hook Head lighthouse in its full context of saving ships from shipwreck on the rocks.

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A yacht passing Hook Head

Sea pink at Hook Head Lighthouse

Tour of Hook Head Lighthouse

Information boards explain the connection between the great knight William Marshall and Hook Head Lighthouse. Hook Head lighthouse, with its wonderful ceiling vaulting, was built under the instruction of the Earl of Pembroke and was operating by 1240.

Medieval depiction of Hook Head Lighthouse on a section of the Ros Tapestry - reproduction on the wall of the lighthouse at Hook Head

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The spiral staircase up Hook Head lighthouse

The tour of Hook Head lighthouse

The massive vaulting supporting the upper floors of the Hook Head lighthouse.

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The coastal views from near the top of the Hook Head lighthouse.

Looking down on the gift shop, cafe and coast to the east  from the top of Hook Head lighthouse.

The wind blown (hair) on the top terrace  Hook Head lighthouse

Looking across the River Suir Estuary from the top of Hook Head Lighthouse

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Hook Head Cafe and Museum

The Cafe and Gift Shop at Hook Head Lighthouse with great views of the sea and coastline rocks and cliffs

	Hook Head Lighthouse Museum, County Wexford, South-East Ireland: The historic Hook Head Lighthouse is situated on the end of an unspoilt peninsula in County Wexford. It is over 800 years old and one of the oldest lighthouses in the world. Norman monks built the first tower in 1172 around which a later tower was built. As well as a fine picnic spot on the rocks looking out to sea watching the fishing boats go by. there is the Hook Head Lighthouse Cafe to visit after the guided tour. In 1996 it was fully automated and remains one of the most important lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast of South-east Ireland. If you staying in Waterford, you have to cross the River Suir via the ferry from Passage East to Ballyhack (below).

The Hook Lighthouse (Irish: Teach Solais Rinn Duáin; also known as Hook Head Lighthouse) is a building situated on Hook Head at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, in Ireland. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and the second oldest operating lighthouse in the world, after the Tower of Hercules in Spain. It is operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Irish Lighthouse Authority, it marks the eastern entrance to Waterford Harbour. The current structure has stood for almost 800 years. The Hook Lighthouse appears on the coat of arms of County Wexford.

The existing tower of the lighthouse dates from the 12th century, though tradition states that Dubhán, a missionary to the Wexford area, established a form of beacon as early as the 5th century. The headland is known in Irish as Rinn Dubháin, St. Dubhán's Head. However, the similar-sounding Irish word 'duán' means a fish hook, hence the English name. It is known locally as "the tower of Hook."

The original Hook Head lighthouse tower was built by Strongbow's son-in-law William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, who succeeded Strongbow as Lord of Leinster. Pembroke had established a port in the town of New Ross, approx. 30 km up river. In order for his new port to be successful and for ships to safely reach their destination, Pembroke had a 36m high tower built at the mouth of Waterford Harbour. The exact year of construction is not known, but Pembroke first came to the region in 1201 and the first map that shows the lighthouse serving its function is dated 1240, so construction must have taken place between these dates.

The first custodians to the light the Hook Head lighthouse were a small group of monks whose small monastery was situated on the peninsula. The monks who lived at this monastery would have lit warning fires and beacons all through the years to warn sailors of the dangerous rocks on the peninsula. It was the monks who lived at this monastery in the 13th century that became the first light-keepers. They are also thought to have helped in the construction of the tower.

Hook Lighthouse is one of the most fascinating examples of medieval architecture in Ireland. The tower stands four stories high with walls up to 4m thick. The tower itself consists of three rib-vaulted chambers in the lower tier, while the upper, narrower section would have carried the warning beacon. These two tiers are connected with a mural (within the wall) stairway of 115 steps. The tower was constructed of local limestone and the original building survives intact. The first tier is 13m in diameter at the base and has three storeys, each with its original 13th-century stone fireplace. In the thickness of the wall there are a number of mural chambers, including two garderobes (toilets). The upper tier is 6m in diameter: originally it supported the beacon fire, which was later replaced by the lantern.

Fog signals were operated at the lighthouse as a warning to seafarers during dense fog which can suddenly descend on the peninsula. The fog signal was essential in days before radar and radio. Fog guns situated at the cliff edge were fired every 10 minutes. These were replaced by explosive charges set from the top of the tower on an extending arm. Finally, a compressed air horn (hooter) blasted every 45 seconds during fog.

The monks left the tower and were replaced by the first lighthouse keepers in the mid 17th century. In 1671, a new, but still coal burning lantern was installed on top of the tower to replace the old beacon light. The coal fire was finally abandoned in 1791 when a whale oil lantern 12 ft. in diameter with 12 lamps was installed. This continued until new gas lights were installed in 1871, lit by gas manufactured in the enclosure known as 'the gas yard'. In the 1860s, three dwellings were built for the lighthouse keepers. Paraffin oil became the source of power in 1911, and a clockwork mechanism changed the light from fixed to flashing. This mechanism had to be wound up every 25 minutes by the keeper on duty. Finally, in 1972 electricity became the power source, and light-sensitive switches were installed to control the lantern. In March 1996, The Hook Lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and the last light-keepers who had climbed the stairs and tended the light were permanently withdrawn from the station. The lighthouse is now remotely controlled from Dún Laoghaire by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

In 2001 the light was opened to the public as a tourist attraction after the old keepers houses were turned into a visitor centre. In January 2011 The Hook's fog horn was heard for the last time as all the fog horns were turned off. It was felt that the technology on modern ships was so advanced that the fog horn was no longer required. In June 2011 the structure was placed first in a Lonely Planet piece listing the "Top 10 Flashiest Lighthouses"; the author described Hook as "The great granddaddy of lighthouses".

Source - Wikipedia

The old church at Hook Village

The ruins St Dubhan's Church, the old medieval church in Hook Village originating in the 11th century, built n the site of St Dubhan's Monastery, the saint himself came from Wales in the 5th century

Some of the medieval tracery of the carved stone windows still survives.

The nave dates from the 13th century and the chancel added later.

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More on Hook Head Lighthouse (from Wikipedia)

The Hook Lighthouse (Irish: Teach Solais Rinn Duáin; also known as Hook Head Lighthouse) is a building situated on Hook Head at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, in Ireland. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and the second oldest operating lighthouse in the world, after the Tower of Hercules in Spain. It is operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Irish Lighthouse Authority, it marks the eastern entrance to Waterford Harbour.

The current structure has stood for 847 years as of 2019. The Hook Lighthouse appears on the coat of arms of County Wexford. The existing tower dates from the 12th century, though tradition states that Dubhán, a missionary to the Wexford area, established a form of beacon as early as the 5th century. The headland is known in Irish as Rinn Dubháin, St. Dubhán's Head. However, the similar-sounding Irish word 'duán' means a fish hook, hence the English name. It is known locally as "the Hook." The tower was built by Strongbow's son-in-law William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, who succeeded Strongbow as Lord of Leinster.

Pembroke had established a port in the town of New Ross, approx. 30 km up river. In order for his new port to be successful and for ships to safely reach their destination, Pembroke had a 36m high tower built at the mouth of Waterford Harbour. The exact year of construction is not known, but Pembroke first came to the region in 1201 and the first map that shows the lighthouse serving its function is dated 1240, so construction must have taken place between these dates. The first custodians to the light were a small group of monks whose small monastery was situated on the peninsula. The monks who lived at this monastery would have lit warning fires and beacons all through the years to warn sailors of the dangerous rocks on the peninsula. It was the monks who lived at this monastery in the 13th century that became the first light-keepers. They are also thought to have helped in the construction of the tower. Hook Lighthouse is one of the most fascinating examples of medieval architecture in Ireland.

The tower stands four stories high with walls up to 4m thick. The tower itself consists of three rib-vaulted chambers in the lower tier, while the upper, narrower section would have carried the warning beacon. These two tiers are connected with a mural (within the wall) stairway of 115 steps. The tower was constructed of local limestone and the original building survives intact. The first tier is 13m in diameter at the base and has three storeys, each with its original 13th-century stone fireplace. In the thick walls there are a number of mural chambers, including two garderobes (toilets).

The upper tier is 6m in diameter: originally it supported the beacon fire, which was later replaced by the lantern. Fog signals were operated at the lighthouse as a warning to seafarers during dense fog which can suddenly descend on the peninsula. The fog signal was essential in days before radar and radio. Fog guns situated at the cliff edge were fired every 10 minutes. These were replaced by explosive charges set from the top of the tower on an extending arm. Finally, a compressed air horn (hooter) blasted every 45 seconds during fog.

The monks left the tower and were replaced by the first lighthouse keepers in the mid 17th century. In 1671, a new, but still coal burning lantern was installed on top of the tower to replace the old beacon light. The coal fire was finally abandoned in 1791 when a whale oil lantern 12 ft. in diameter with 12 lamps was installed. This continued until new gas lights were installed in 1871, lit by gas manufactured in the enclosure known as 'the gas yard'. In the 1860s, three dwellings were built for the lighthouse keepers.

Paraffin oil became the source of power in 1911, and a clockwork mechanism changed the light from fixed to flashing. This mechanism had to be wound up every 25 minutes by the keeper on duty. Finally, in 1972 electricity became the power source, and light-sensitive switches were installed to control the lantern.

In March 1996, The Hook Lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and the last light-keepers who had climbed the stairs and tended the light were permanently withdrawn from the station. The lighthouse is now remotely controlled from Dún Laoghaire by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. In 2001 the light was opened to the public as a tourist attraction after the old keepers houses were turned into a visitor centre. In January 2011 The Hook's fog horn was heard for the last time as all the fog horns were turned off. It was felt that the technology on modern ships was so advanced that the fog horn was no longer required. In June 2011 the structure was placed first in a Lonely Planet piece listing the "Top 10 Flashiest Lighthouses"; the author described Hook as "The great granddaddy of lighthouses".

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Ring of Hook Index

61a. Ballyhack and the Passage East Ferry 61b. Templetown 61c. Hook Head and Hook Lighthouse

61d. Slade Castle and Slade Harbour 61e. Baginbun Beach 61f. Fethard Castle

61g. Tintern Abbey, Saltmills 61h. Duncannon, Beach, Fort and Harbour 61i Colclough Walled Garden, Tintern

61j The John F. Kennedy Arboretum (JFK Park)

Irish holiday tour docspics photos images pics photographs pictures © Phil Brown * Irish holiday tours, touring in Ireland, top tourist attractions, tourism information, luxury hotels, self-catering holiday cottages, airbnb air b and b air B&B accommodation, historic towns & cities in Ireland archaeological sites, museums, cheap flights, get there by flying of Ferry, Irish Ferries, Stena Line, Ryanair Travel, dining out in Ireland, good food guide to Ireland, top Irish restaurants, Irish coach tours, weekend breaks trips to Ireland docspics images photos of Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford © Phil Brown Tourist information on Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, Walks near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, Having holidays near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, Ireland, Top tourist attractions near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, luxury hotels near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, self-catering holiday cottages near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, airbnb air B and B near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, good B&B near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, friendly pubs near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, cafes near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, eating out in fine restaurants near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, weekend breaks near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, wining & dining weekends near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, walking holidays around Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, touring coach tours including Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, pretty villages near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, historic towns and pretty village near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, museums near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, local art galleries near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, guided walks from Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, excellent fell hill walking around Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, rambling near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, exploring the landscape near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, good places to eat near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, tourist attractions near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, tourist information for places near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, good places for wining and dining near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, good walks near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, properties for sale near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, renting a flat or house near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, property for rent near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, houses for sale near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, lettings near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, places to rent near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford, holiday cottage accommodation near Hook Head lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co. Wexford