Hook Head Light House Sunday Jan 8th County Wexford

Today was a very busy day.  We woke up and had breakfast at the organic, free range farm, The Oleary's Farmhouse, then we were off to see a light house, a tomb of one of the knights of Templar at an Abbey, and an very old castle.  Whew, I'm tired with only the itinerary. Lighthouse


"Hook Head is the oldest lighthouse in Ireland, and one of the oldest in Europe still operating. In the 5th century St Dubhán set up a fire beacon on the headland as a warning to mariners. After his death his monks kept the beacon going for another 600 years. Between 1170 and 1184 the Normans built the present lighthouse. It was built from local limestone and burned lime mixed with ox’s blood. Even today traces of the blood-lime mix can be seen coming through the paintwork. The walls are 9 to 13 feet thick and 80 feet above the ground. In 1665 King Charles II granted letters patent to Sir Robert Reading to erect six lighthouses on the coast of Ireland, one of which was at Hook Head on the site of the older lighthouse, the others being at Howth, one to mark the land, the other to lead over the bar; the Old Head of Kinsale, Barry Oge's castle (now Charlesfort, near Kinsale), and the Isle of Magee."

There were fishing boats dragging a net between them in the small bay near the light house.   The birds were delighted with the fish.  They were diving and soaring together in perfect harmony as if to a song only they were privileged to hear.

We ate lunch at the light house restauraunt overlooking the ocean.  I  had a yummy bowl of seafood chowder.