Thanks to its 250 kilometers of golden beaches, world-class towns, and dramatic history that witnessed both Viking and Norman invasions — not to mention Irish rebellions — there’s something for everyone in County Wexford, Ireland's ‘Sunny Southeast’. Yes, County Wexford’s warm weather delights, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t prepared for challenging conditions — case in point, the first stop on my itinerary during a recent trip: Hook Lighthouse, which has navigated ships to safety for 800 years. As a testament to its importance, the commanding structure appears on the county’s coat of arms.
While ascending the 115 spiral steps, I learned from manager Lorraine Waters that the lighthouse’s story can be traced back to a fifth-century Brittonic monk, Saint Dubhan, who illuminated the night sky with a simple beacon. Following the development of New Ross port in the 13th century, William Marshal — Strongbow’s son-in-law — commissioned this grand tower, which stands largely in its original state today and is thought to be the world’s oldest working lighthouse. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! While its first custodians were monks, in recent years, the responsibility fell onto workers, often from the local area — at least until 1996, when an automatic operation was introduced.
In addition to its practical use, Lorraine, a qualified engineer, praised Hook Lighthouse and the café as fantastic social outlet.
