Hook Lighthouse | Wexford

Hook Lighthouse is a 13th-century limestone tower located on the Hook Peninsula in southwest County Wexford. It is the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world.

Visual Characteristics

The structure is defined by its massive cylindrical shape and distinctive horizontal black and white bands.

Architecture: Constructed by William Marshal (Earl of Pembroke) using local limestone and lime mortar. The walls are up to $4$ meters thick at the base.

Tiers: Consists of four stories with original rib-vaulted stone ceilings.

Height: The tower stands $35$ meters tall ($115$ feet).

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Hook Head, Fethard-on-the-Sea, Co. Wexford, Y34 AY52.

Position: At the southern tip of the R734, $50$ km from Wexford Town and $29$ km from Waterford (via the Ballyhack ferry).

Transit: Private vehicle is required; no direct public transport serves the headland.

Parking: Free on-site parking is available.

Accessibility: The visitor center and grounds are accessible. The lighthouse interior is accessible only via $115$ stone steps and is not suitable for mobility devices.

Historical Origin

5th Century: St. Dubhán established a beacon fire on the headland to warn mariners.

1201–1240: Current tower built by the Normans to guide ships into Waterford Harbour.

17th Century: Managed by the Revenue Commissioners; coal fires were replaced by oil lamps in 1791.

1996: The lighthouse was fully automated; it is currently monitored remotely by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

Key Highlights & Activities

Guided Tours: Access to the internal chambers and the balcony, detailing the lives of medieval and modern lightkeepers.

Whale Watching: The headland is a primary vantage point for observing Humpback and Fin whales during winter months.

The Balcony: Offers $360$-degree views of the Celtic Sea and the Estuary.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Visitor Centre: Housed in the former lightkeepers' cottages; includes a café and craft shop.

Sanitation: Public restrooms are located in the visitor center complex.

Connectivity: 4G signal is intermittent due to the exposed coastal location.

Hours: Open daily from 09:30–17:00 (winter) or 18:00 (summer).

Technical Details

The light has a range of $23$ nautical miles. The character of the light is a white flash every $3$ seconds. The fog signal consists of two blasts every $45$ seconds during periods of low visibility.

Nearby Landmarks

Loftus Hall – 5 km North

Tintern Abbey – 15 km North

Dunbrody Abbey – 24 km North

Ballyhack Ferry – 18 km Northwest