Hook Lighthouse
Medieval lighthouse on Hook Head
Hook Lighthouse stands on Hook Head in the south-west of County Wexford and is about 800 years old. The tower can only be visited on a guided tour of around 45 minutes, which you book in advance. The visitor centre is in the former lighthouse keepers’ houses, and the site is open all year.
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William Marshal’s lighthouse
William Marshal built Hook Lighthouse about 800 years ago. It is the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world. The tower stands on Hook Head in Churchtown, in the south-west of County Wexford.
On a day out from Rosslare you can combine it with Kilmore Quay or with Johnstown Castle on the way back to Wexford town.
The tower tour
You can only go up the tower on a guided tour, and every tour is booked in advance. Groups are limited to 30 people. Arrive 15 minutes before your tour starts.
- The tour takes about 45 minutes. With the visitor centre and the grounds, allow up to two hours.
- There are 115 steps to the top, and you need to be sure-footed.
- Wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Opening times and tour times
The site is open all year. The tour times change with the season:
Visitor centre and grounds
The visitor centre is in the former lighthouse keepers’ houses. It has a café with its own bakery, a shop and Wi-Fi. Dogs on a lead are welcome on the grounds, but only assistance animals are allowed in the café and the tower.
Getting to Hook Head
Hook Lighthouse is about 50 minutes’ drive from Wexford town, about 40 minutes from New Ross and about an hour from Waterford City. For the sat nav, use the Eircode Y34 KD93.