The Hook Lighthouse would be the oldest operating lighthouse in the world if it wasn’t for the Tower of Hercules in Spain!

The lighthouse has stood for over 800 years and sits right on the edge of the hook peninsula in County Wexford. It was built by Anglo Norman leader named Strongbow’s Son in Law.

Since 2001 the lighthouse has been a very popular tourist destination in County Wexford. Just about a kilometre down the road also on the Hook Peninsula there is another very well-known building called Loftus Hall. Loftus Hall is a large mansion famous for its ghost stories and apparently it is haunted.

On the way to Hook Peninsula we come across a 13th century Anglo Norman abbey built by William Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke. He built Tintern Abbey because of a vow he made. William Marshalls boat was caught in a storm, and he swore if he ever survived he would build an abbey on the land.

The Slaney Language Centre offers an interactive day trip to the Hook Lighthouse with our own tour guide and bus driver Jim Shannon who excels in ensuring our students are kept entertained and engaged by telling stories of Irish folklore and giving you the facts that can’t be found online or in a book. The Hook Lighthouse also offer their own tour guides information about these tours can be found at https://hookheritage.ie/ . This is a great opportunity to learn about Irish history while also improving your language abilities by giving you a chance to speak to fluent English speakers while you learn about the history of the wonderful County Wexford.

For information regarding our trips and activities don’t hesitate to contact us.