21st July 2012 - Hook Head, County Wexford, Ireland
I'm on a business trip to Ireland for a couple of weeks, working near Clonmel in County Tipperary and I decided to stay for the weekend. On Friday evening I drove to Tramore, on the coast in County Waterford to do some exploring of the coast in that area. Today I'm going to the Hook peninsula in the neighbouring county of Wexford to see the lighthouse on Hook Head.
Oh well! I've missed it. The Passage East ferry across Waterford Harbour. Never mind, I won't have long to wait as it goes back and forth all day. I'll have a look around the village and a walk along the beach.
Waterford Harbour starts at the confluence of the rivers Suir and Nore. If you don't want to catch the ferry it's about an hours drive to go around.
The village of Passage East
Missed the ferry again. I'll have a walk along the beach.
Back in Passage East, time to get the ferry
I've made it to Hook Head and I'm by the shoreline below Hook Lighthouse taking in the view back across Waterford Bay
Hook Lighthouse. The oldest working lighthouse in the world and today getting a fresh coat of paint. Click on the link to find out more.
A smaller version of the light at the top on the ground floor
The first floor was the living quarters of the lighthouse keepers before the cottages that now stand alongside were built. The lighthouse is of course automated now and the cottages serve as the visitor centre.
The second floor was used by the monks when they looked after the lighthouse long ago
Views from the lighthouse balcony across Waterford Bay and the western side of the peninsula
The view up the peninsula with the sea on both sides in shot
The east side of the peninsula and the bit of coast I'm going to walk along with Ballyteige Bay behind
Hook Lighthouse. Freshly painted.
A look back at the lighthouse as I head off on the coastal path
Views from the east coast of the Hook peninsula across Ballyteige Bay
The Saltee Islands on the far side of the bay
The ruins of Slade Castle by Slade harbour. Click on the link for some information about the castle. This is where I turned round to head back.
Heading back to the lighthouse
A pair of cormorants
Back below the lighthouse and I had to take a couple more shots across Waterford Bay on this glorious afternoon
On the way back to Tramore I stopped in Dunmore East to have my dinner
