a day in Wexford II: Hook Lighthouse

After spending the morning walking on the ‘Saving Private Ryan beach‘, we headed to Wexford city for a spot of luncheon. We then decided to head further South to the Hook peninsula.
At its very tip stands the very impressive Hook lighthouse. It is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world. It is said that the place has served as a beacon as far as the 5th century. The structure, as you can see it today, is actually 800 years old of age.
First managed by monks (you can still see the door to a chapel at the foot of the lighthouse – see picture below), it was then administered by lightouse keepers from the mid 16th century up until the 1990s. It is today remotely operated by the Commissioners of Irish light, all the way from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin… the magic of electricity!
It is how the Hook Lighthouse has now been turned into a public attraction, Lonely Planet voting it the number one lighthouse no less!

The whole area is a feast for the eyes as when you stand at the foot of the lighthouse you can see the sea, the green countryside and the opposite shore.
We missed the last guided tour of the day by only a handful of minutes so unfortunately I didn’t get to see the view from the top of the lighthouse. I would love to go back to cross that off of my list and while I’m in the area check out Loftus Hall, the neighbour mansion which is said to be haunted!

You can read part I of my day in Wexford here.