What to Do
It’s not called the Sunny Southeast for nothing. There are few places in Ireland which can rival Hook Head in terms of its location, benefiting as it does from more sunshine than any other part of the country. So anybody planning their itineraries during the summer doesn’t really have to look that much further than the beach!
But if you can drag yourself away from all the sea and the sunshine, you will find such a lot to do in The Hook. There are signposted walking, driving and cycling tours; there is world class golf and equestrianism; there is fishing and adventure sports, or there are gourmet breaks in some of the many fabulous gastronomic hideaways.
Or, if you are looking for a little more excitement, then the Hook is a haven for festivals, particularly during the summer months.
And did we mention the sun..?
Food & Drink
Eating and Drinking in Hook Head
The Hook is a gourmet’s paradise, with fine dining restaurants rubbing shoulders with unprepossessing cafes and pubs offering hearty fare made from the freshest local ingredients. Perched on the sea, but benefiting from its rich agricultural surroundings, Hook Head eateries have the unique advantage of being able to take their seafood straight from the boats, while matching them with produce so fresh it could have been harvested that day!
So whatever your tastes and budget, the Hook will have something for you - from a casual lunch in a lively pub to a sumptuous dinner accompanied by the finest of wines.
Where to Go
The centuries have left their mark on the landscape of Hook Head in the most picturesque and aesthetic of manners. From the majestic beauty of Tintern Abbey, sister of its more famous Welsh cousin, to the 15th Century Fethard Castle, which was built on the ruins of an earlier 12th Century structure, you will find a rich tapestry of Irish history wherever you turn when visiting this magical part of the world.
This is a place which boasts heritage dating from every important period in Ireland’s fascinating history, from monastic times through the Normans and the Knights Templar, and onwards throughout the years to the modern era. Perhaps the most famous piece of architecture is the Hook Lighthouse, which is one of the world’s oldest, dating back to the 12th Century (and perhaps earlier). But everywhere you look you will find something of interest, whether you are looking for the serene calm of Dunbrody Abbey or the endless beauty of the surrounding countryside.
Or, if you want to take it all in, you could travel either the Ring of Hook Drive or the Bannow Drive (both signposted), maybe stopping off at the Irish Agricultural Museum and Johnstown Castle Gardens or the John F Kennedy Arboretum, a beautiful forest expanse covering more than 600 acres. Or you could just sit back and enjoy the drive...
Where to Stay
Hook Head is one of Ireland’s most unspoiled areas of natural beauty, but it also boasts some world class hotel and guest house accommodation. From luxury hotels and their stately grandeur to intimate hideaways and pleasant guesthouses, there will be something for everyone in the Hook, whatever their taste and budget.
Patrons
The Hook Tourist Development Association would like to thank the following organisations for their support:
Calor Gas LPG - Supplier in both bulk and cylinder applications
Gleeson Group - Gleesons Drinks Distribution in Ireland, Wholesale beverages
Bank of Ireland - Bank of Ireland, New Ross
Allied Irish Bank - Allied Irish Bank, New Ross
Pallas Foods - Next Day Gourmet for the Food Service Industry
Irish Distillers - Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard
Links
Photography by Paul Holmes
Paul Holmes has taken some beautiful photographs of the Hook head lighthouse - one of which is used as the main image for this website
Eoin Colfer's website
Eoin is the author of "Benny and Omar", "Benny and Babe", "The Wish List" and the British children's book of the year 2002 "Artemis Fowl".
Irish Tourist Board
Web Site for Irish Government
The Tall Ship Dunbrody
Visit this link with history in the port of New Ross.
Southeast Tourism
Tourism and accommodation information for Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, Ireland including Special Offers.
Dr. Billy Colfer
Has written a book about The Hook. It is in the shops now.
Contact Us
Bookings & Information at:
Hook Tourist Development Association
Fethard-On-Sea
Wexford
Ireland
Phone/ Fax: 051-397502
e: info@hooktourism.com
Welcome
Welcome to our unspoilt scenic historic peninsula. Rich in culture and tradition, Hook Head is the ideal location for unwinding from your busy schedule. So whether you are looking forward to a leisure break, a family holiday or some more specialist activities, a warm friendly welcome awaits all visitors to our sunny, special part of the world!
We have designed this website to make your visit to the Hook as uncomplicated as possible. Within this site you will find information on everything from Accommodation and Events to Pubs and Restaurants in The Hook Peninsula. On the Hook you can find a beach a day for a fortnight! And we're not joking - If you’re looking for canoeing, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba-diving, fishing, swimming or just relaxing in the sun, there is always a sheltered cove just waiting for you.
Southwest Wexford is “the secret Ireland” - unspoilt and awaiting to be discovered. It is distinctly different from the rest of the country, and possesses a landscape, history, culture and character of its own. Its uniqueness is due in no small part to some early visitors from across the seas: the Celts, Vikings and Normans who came, conquered and liked the place so much that they stayed!
Of course, it goes without saying that the coastline is one of the special attractions of this area. Pretty fishing villages, bird watching on the mudflats of Bannow Estuary, deep-sea angling, snorkelling and swimming –there are as much a part of the area’s marine life as the fish that swim in the sea! Similarly, the rivers, valleys, estuaries and rolling hills, which have for so long provided South West Wexford with rich grazing land, are also the ideal playgrounds for a relaxing summer break.
But best of all are the people of the Hook. 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 history, the coast and the countryside, make up all the ingredients needed for a great holiday in wonderful Southwest Wexford.
