The oldest operational lighthouse in the World 

Tradition states that Dubhán, a missionary monk, established some sort of beacon at this location as early as the 5th century AD. Interestingly, the word ‘dubhán’ in the Irish language means ‘fishing hook’, later translated to ‘hook head’, giving this location its name. The exact date for the construction of the tower is still debated but it may have been attributed to the Normans Raymond Le Gros around 1172 or by William Marshall in the early 1200s. The reason for its construction was to establish a lighthouse and also to fortify the approaches to Waterford Harbour. The tower and its grounds were entrusted to local monks who ended up managing it for the next 700 years. In 2001 the lighthouse was opened to the public as a tourist attraction and in 2011 it was placed 1st by Lonely Planet in its list of ‘Top 10 Flashiest Lighthouses’ describing it as ‘The Great Grand Daddy of Lighthouses’.

Thanks to Noel from We Love Ireland for top class video on Hook Head Lighthouse