By the end of the 17th century, however, the first glass lantern to protect a coal-burning beacon was erected on the tower. Today's visitor can see the alcoves in the massive walls where the monks watched and prayed and studied.Īfter the Cromwellian devastation, the lighthouse fell into disuse. Monks from the monastery of Rinn Dubháin were involved in the building of the navigation aid and acted as light-keepers. Marshal had a 36-metre high circular tower constructed at the tip of the peninsula as a landmark by day and a beacon by night.

Moreover, influenced by his own escape from shipwreck, he knew that shipping needed to be guided safely into Waterford Harbour through the dangerous waters off the point of Rinn Dubháin, if his new port of Ross was to be successful. William Marshal may have seen Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria when on crusade to the Holy Land. It was built in the early 13th century as part of the development of the lordship of Leinster.

The Tower of Hook is one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. The soubriquet 'yellow-bellies' was first bestowed on the hurling team of a Caesar Colclough because of their yellow sashes, when he took them to play a match in Cornwall in the 18th century. The Colcloughs (pronounced Cokely) were, for the most part, benevolent landlords, liberal in politics and patrons of hurling. Following their betrayal, they were arrested, brought to Wexford, court-martialled and executed. After the insurrection, Colclough and Bagnal Harvey took refuge on the Saltee Islands. The most tangible link with 1798, however, is the United Irish leader, John Henry Colclough. Dr Colfer, who is director of Hook Heritage Ltd, believes 'the vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods', mentioned in the poem (dated July 13th, 1798), may have been refugees escaping from the horrors of the rising in Wexford. Tintern Major, on the banks of the Wye, was made famous by William Wordsworth's poem. Shortly afterwards, its lands were granted to Sir Anthony Colclough, an officer in Henry VIII's army. Pugin, the 19th-century architect, was so impressed by the ruins of Dunbrody Abbey that its influence dominated his Wexford churches, notably St Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy.Īt the time of the dissolution in 1536, Tintern appears to have been the third richest Cistercian abbey in Ireland (after St Mary's in Dublin and Mellifont). His opponent, William of Orange, chose the same port of departure. James II sailed from Duncannon Fort after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne. In 1169 the first Anglo-Norman fleet arrived at Baginbun Head, 'where Ireland was lost and won'. Because of the peninsular nature of the area, it is always possible to find a sheltered beach on windy days. Its distinctive personality was formed by many historical influences concentrated in a well-defined landscape. This secluded cul-de-sac - dominated by sea, sky and the elements - has generated an environment with a unique character. The Hook Peninsula is a particularly fascinating corner of Ireland. Vessels entering Waterford Estuary from the Atlantic were advised to tack along the shoreline by Crook, Co Waterford, or by Hook, Co Wexford, rather than sail directly into the tidal confluence of the three 'sister rivers': the Barrow, Nore and Suir. This suggestion is offered in the apocryphal sense.

Visit the Hook Peninsula, by Hook or by Crook. Brendan Ó Cathaoir explores the Hook Peninsula, a cul-de-sac sprinkled with history.

Irish movie about lighthouse keeper