Post about your favourite hook peninsula attraction or memory here…I have to say, it’s the people that make the place for me, real salt of the earth folk. Here’s an article from the Irish Times about this wonderful Irish gem to get us started.
Southwest Wexford is “the secret Ireland” – unspoilt and waiting to be discovered. Distinctly different from the rest of the country, it possesses a landscape, history, culture, and character of its own. Its uniqueness is due in no small part to some of the early visitors from across the seas: the Celts, Vikings and Normans who came, conquered and liked the place so much that they stayed.
The Hook Peninsula in southwest Wexford is an area of Ireland that cannot be equaled because where else would you get such a wealth of fascinating places to visit, such as Tintern Abbey (sister abbey of Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley in Wales,) the Norman landing and fortifications dating to 1170,TheHook Lighthouse – the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world; the Knight’s Templar church and castle, Duncannon Fort where both king James and King Billy left after the battle of the Boyne.
Tintern Abbey, located near the village of Saltmills, is a national monument which is managed by the OPW and is set in over 100 hundred acres of broadleaf forest owned by Coillte. The Abbey has a fascinating history, both as a Cistercian monastery for 340 years until its dissolution by King Henry VIII in 1543 and later as the residence of the Colclough family for the following 380 years, all of which is well-told in the visitor centre, open during the summer season. Hook Tourism has built on its work with Coillte in developing intern Trails, series of walks around the area, and has now begun to restore the early 19th century Colclough Walled Garden, located 300metres South-west of the Abbey, to its former glory. This 2.5 acre walled garden is open to the public and is currently being reinstated as it was shown in the OSI 6 inch historical map dating from1838 and will operate as an organic fruit and vegetable garden.
Drawing on its seafaring and maritime traditions the Hook Peninsula offers plenty of activities for individuals and families. Based in the majestic coves and beaches of the area schools for water-based activities such as scuba diving & surfing in Fethard-on- Sea, kayaking and kite surfing are available with expert tutoring on hand to guide you from novice to expert in no time. Wexford Kite-Surfing Festival takes place in August in Duncannon run by Hooked Kite-Surfing.
There are opportunities to go horse-riding, play a round of golf or experience the Peninsula by Safari. This new venture will bring you on a fun-filled trip around the Peninsula by safari jeep, taking in the glorious sights and scenes of the area.
On the May bank holiday weekend each year the Hook Lighthouse celebrates with its Maritime Festival and on the beach at Duncannon the annual Sand Sculpting Festival takes place every summer bringing both the people and the sand to life.
But best of all are the people of the Hook Peninsula. Warm, friendly, funny, interesting and philosophical, they always have time for a chat or to tell stories about days gone by, and these people, together with the local history, the coast and the countryside, make up all the ingredients needed to be the best place to live in Ireland. For further information on the Hook Peninsula see www.hooktourism.com
