HOOK LIGHTHOUSE
Exploretheoldestoperational lighthouse in the world. Voted one of Ireland’s favourite attractions, Hook Lighthouse in Wexford is truly one of a kind.
Purpose built 800 years ago by Knight William Marshal, take a step back in time and enjoy a guided tour hearing tales of medieval times and life as a light keeper.
Recently lauded by Irish Travel writer, Isabel Conway, she described the site as World Class, unique and deserving of further recognition at the Best Tourism Project awards UK and Ireland, held in London in November 2018.
Take in the spectacular view from the balcony with miles of sea rolling out before you. Enjoy the visitor centre with gift shop, art workshop, exhibits and café. Guided tours are on offer seven days a week, sharing with visitors one of the greatest experiences on Ireland’s Ancient East.
Hook Head
Hook Head is a Special Protected Area (SPA) under Irish & EU legislation. SPAS are areas that are of European importance, specifically for bird species established under the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC). As a member of the EU, it is required that Ireland designates any site that meets the ecological criteria laid out. The network of SPAS in Ireland includes important wintering waterfowl sites and areas supporting rare species. Wexford is a county rich in biodiversity. Habitat diversity includes reefs, sea caves, coastal dune systems, lagoons, lakes, rivers, grasslands, marshes, woodlands, and peatlands. Many habitats throughout Wexford are rich in species diversity; they provide important roosting or feeding sites as well as being valuable wildlife corridors.
The Hook Head area is of special importance due to the presence bird species, fossils, sea-life and its vegetated sea cliffs. Visitor flow is managed to discourage visitors from entering the protected areas. We are committed to environmental conservation and education.
Whales and Dolphins
This rare sighting of a humpback whale off Hook Head, in Co. Wexford, was captured by Padraig Whooley of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Whale and Dolphin watching is a popular pastime on the Peninsula.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group monitor sightings of whales and dolphins around the coast.
The majestic and rare sight of giant humpback whales exploding out of the water and Fin Whales breaching, can be seen from the shoreline around Hook Head with a good pair of binoculars in the winter months, as they arrive to feed on the huge shoals of herring. Humpback whales are amongst the largest creatures on earth. They can grow to 50 feet long and can weigh 40-tonnes. Geodiversity
Geodiversity may be defined as “the natural range (diversity) of geological (rocks, minerals, fossils), geomorphological (landforms, processes) and soil features. It includes their assemblages, relationships, properties, interpretations and systems” (Gray 2004). Rocks, sediments and soils form the land on which we live and on which plants and animals thrive. Without rocks, no soil or nutrients can be created; without soil and nutrients, there is no starting point for plants and animals. Geomorphological processes, for example the effects of erosion and weathering, shape the landscape. Fluvial processes have created a diversity of river habitats and coastal processes are vital to the well-being of coastal biodiversity. Geodiversity underpins biodiversity since habitats have a geological foundation. If the geological foundation is not taken care of, biodiversity will suffer from it as it will be deprived from a vital supporting element.