Hook Head Lighthouse

Hook Head Lighthouse is located on the headland at the entrance to Waterford Harbour. It dates from the 5th century.

A Welsh monk, Saint Dubhán, established a cell and oratory on the promontory due to its remoteness. Many vessels heading to Waterford came to grief around the headland, so Dubhán commissioned a large fire beacon near the cliff edge made from an iron basket suspended from a mast. Dubhán lit the fire at sunset and kept it maintained throughout the night. Others joined him and set up a small community to keep the light burning. He entrusted the light to his fellow monks, who continued to keep the light burning for around 50 years until the Anglo-Norman invasion.

The three-storey tower was built around 1172, with walls varying in thickness from 9 to 13 feet. The new tower was built near Dubhan’s original oratory. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, the monks left, leaving the light to other custodians.

Hook Head Lighthouse and cottages — *Photo: Patrick Tubby*

By the early 17th century, the tower was also being used as a base for producing counterfeit money. A lookout was established to warn the counterfeiters, and this practice continued until the 1641 Rebellion, when the lighthouse was abandoned for around 25 years.

Despite petitions from shipowners to restore the lighthouse, it was not until 1665 that King Charles II granted the franchise to build and maintain six lighthouses around the Irish coast. Sometime between 1665 and 1667, Hook Lighthouse was re-established.

By 1704, Queen Anne passed responsibility for Irish lights to the Revenue Commissioners. By this time, a lantern had been added, and the lighthouse enlarged. Around this time, however, the lighthouse was once again allowed to fall into disrepair following ownership disputes.

lighthouse optic — *Photo: Patrick Tubby*

In 1791, former Trinity House engineer Thomas Rogers was commissioned to maintain and manage Hook Head Lighthouse. He was also responsible for other lights, including Howth, Kilwarlin, Copeland Island, Aranmore, Loop Head, Old Head of Kinsale, Charles Fort and Duncannon Fort. Rogers invented new catadioptric lights, and the lighthouse was fitted with the new lighting equipment.

In 1810, responsibility for all Irish Lighthouses was transferred to the Ballast Board by an Act of Parliament. Following this, a new lantern apparatus was installed in 1864.

Gas works were established in 1871 alongside the lighthouse until they were replaced with paraffin vapour burners in 1911. Electric operation came in 1972.

Hook Head magazine — *Former explosives magazine*
*Photo: Patrick Tubby*

A fog signal was established in 1838, initially operated by hand. But in 1850, it was mechanised. In 1872, a gun replaced the signal. This was replaced in 1905 by an explosive, which remained in use until the 1970s, when they were removed due to security concerns. A Supertyfon replaced the explosives.

Before 1933, the tower had three red bands, which were changed to two black bands in 1933.

In 1977, Hook Head Lighthouse lighthouse became a relieving tower, and the families were moved.