" P@tH Im@ges "
" The Hook Lighthouse, Co.Wexford "
A missionary called Dubhán, arrived here at Hook Head in the 5th century. He was horrified to see so many shipwrecks that had been driven onto the rocks and smashed to pieces and the remains of the unfortunate sailors strewn along the cliffs. He immediatley set up a beacon to warn of the dangers. This headland is called after him as it is known in Irish as St. Dubhán`s Head. However there is a simiar word for Dubhán which is Duan and means a fish hook and thats how it got the English name Hook Head which fits the shape of the place almost perfectly.
This lighthouse has been operating here for 820 years which makes it the 2nd oldest in the World. Its a bit confusing because anyone looking at it can see that the bottom section is made from concrete and is quite modern and I would take them to task for not explaining it fully. The answer is that the existing original lighthouse with its 13ft thick walls is still there having been enclosed within the newer concrete walls. It is open to the public and is truly amazing with its stone smoke stained walls, rib vaulted ceilings and rooms where Norman monks lit braziers to warn sailing ships to beware of the dangers of the heavy seas, cliffs and the huge rocks which Ive shown in my previous photo.
The original tower was build by William Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke who was a Norman Knight. French monks settled in the old monastry here and operated the tower which has been operating ever since.
I think of all the places here in Ireland this for me is the best. Its a historian and hikers dream and the natural history of the place is astonishing.The Saltee islands are situated a few miles off the coast and has one of the largest Gannet colonies in the British Isles. Wexford and and the adjoining county of Waterford are wonderful historic places having been founded by the Vikings who settled here in the 8th century.
So if you are this way ever, do come and visit the Hook Peninsula as I know you will love it.
Hope you like the photo. Best wishes.
P.
Heres some info;
www.greatlighthouses.com/lighthouses/hook-head/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Marshal,_1st_Earl_of_Pembroke
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loftus_Hall
www.megalithicireland.com/Slade Castle, Wexford.html
My photos are also on Flickriver as per attached link;
" The Hook Lighthouse, Co.Wexford "
A missionary called Dubhán, arrived here at Hook Head in the 5th century. He was horrified to see so many shipwrecks that had been driven onto the rocks and smashed to pieces and the remains of the unfortunate sailors strewn along the cliffs. He immediatley set up a beacon to warn of the dangers. This headland is called after him as it is known in Irish as St. Dubhán`s Head. However there is a simiar word for Dubhán which is Duan and means a fish hook and thats how it got the English name Hook Head which fits the shape of the place almost perfectly.
This lighthouse has been operating here for 820 years which makes it the 2nd oldest in the World. Its a bit confusing because anyone looking at it can see that the bottom section is made from concrete and is quite modern and I would take them to task for not explaining it fully. The answer is that the existing original lighthouse with its 13ft thick walls is still there having been enclosed within the newer concrete walls. It is open to the public and is truly amazing with its stone smoke stained walls, rib vaulted ceilings and rooms where Norman monks lit braziers to warn sailing ships to beware of the dangers of the heavy seas, cliffs and the huge rocks which Ive shown in my previous photo.
The original tower was build by William Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke who was a Norman Knight. French monks settled in the old monastry here and operated the tower which has been operating ever since.
I think of all the places here in Ireland this for me is the best. Its a historian and hikers dream and the natural history of the place is astonishing.The Saltee islands are situated a few miles off the coast and has one of the largest Gannet colonies in the British Isles. Wexford and and the adjoining county of Waterford are wonderful historic places having been founded by the Vikings who settled here in the 8th century.
So if you are this way ever, do come and visit the Hook Peninsula as I know you will love it.
Hope you like the photo. Best wishes.
P.
Heres some info;
www.greatlighthouses.com/lighthouses/hook-head/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Marshal,_1st_Earl_of_Pembroke
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loftus_Hall
www.megalithicireland.com/Slade Castle, Wexford.html
My photos are also on Flickriver as per attached link;