Hook Lighthouse

About the museum

Hook Lighthouse stands at the tip of the Hook Peninsula, where ships entering Waterford Harbour and the port of New Ross pass a dangerous coast. Its story begins with a beacon kept alight by monks on the headland, and the tour introduces St Dubhan, the monk linked with this early light.

The present stone tower was built in the 13th century by William Marshal, Strongbow’s son-in-law and lord of much of south-east Ireland, to guide ships to his port at New Ross. It is described as the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world. Generations of light keepers and their families lived and worked here, and their daily routine and personal stories are part of the tour.

Today the tower can be visited only on a guided tour. Guides take small groups up the 115 spiral steps through the thick-walled medieval chambers, where life-size hologram figures of St Dubhan and William Marshal tell the story. The tour ends on the balcony, four storeys up, with views over the sea and the coast known as the graveyard of a thousand ships.

The visitor centre occupies the former light keepers’ houses and has a café, a gift shop, exhibits and art workshops.

Highlights

• Guided climb of the 13th-century tower, 115 steps
• Life-size hologram figures of St Dubhan and William Marshal
• Balcony views over the Hook coast and Waterford Harbour
• Visitor centre in the former light keepers’ houses
• Café and art workshops for children

Permanent exhibition

• Guided lighthouse tour – The tour climbs the medieval tower, with hologram figures of St Dubhan and William Marshal and stories of the light keepers and their families.

Admission & discounts

Prices include the guided tour. Tickets can be bought online in advance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tour climbs 115 spiral steps up the tower and a reasonable level of fitness is needed. Carers can attend with an assisted visitor ticket. Service animals are allowed in the café and the lighthouse; other dogs may be on the grounds on a lead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Art workshops for children are available. Nearby Dollar Bay has a sandy beach where children can search for treasure. The 115 steps of the tower tour are a consideration for young children and pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

The lighthouse is at the end of the R734 on the Hook Peninsula, about 40 minutes by car from New Ross, 50 minutes from Wexford, one hour from Waterford and from Rosslare Port. The Passage East car ferry links the peninsula with County Waterford.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The café and bakery in the visitor centre serve homemade produce from local suppliers all year. There is a gift shop, and free Wi-Fi is available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit