20 Attractions to Explore Near Hook Peninsula

The Hook Lighthouse is a building situated on Hook Head at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, in Ireland. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and the second oldest operating lighthouse in the world, after the Tower of Hercules in Spain. It is operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Irish Lighthouse Authority, it marks the eastern entrance to Waterford Harbour. The current structure has stood for 848 years as of 2020.

The majestic Dunmore East woods comprise of 42 acres of woodland granted in a trust by the 7th Marquis of Waterford in 1924, for the recreational use of the people of Dunmore East along with the park in the centre of the village. The woods and park are administrated by a Trusteeship of villagers. The woodland is a mixture of conifers and deciduous trees. You can see Wild Cherry, Silver Birch, Common Lime. Scots Pine, Rowan and Yew which have been part of the recent Neighbourwood planting scheme.

Baginbun Beach is a secluded and sheltered beach located just outside Fethard in County Wexford. It is a family friendly beach that was good with white sands and there are so many opportunities for fun too.

Woodstown Beach is a long sandy beach surrounded by private woodlands. It is a tidal beach which extends out around a kilometre at low tide, exposing a large and flat beach. The water here is glorious and it’s a fine spot for a walk at any time of the day. It is one of the most popular beaches in the area, particularly with families. It is a great spot for kids and is ideal for picnics.

Duncannon Beach is located in the south west of County Wexford. It is a designated bathing area of approximately a mile long. There are great views from the beach of Hook Head and, across the river, the Waterford coastline. Its sheltered location protects it from the strongest waves and makes it a popular spot for swimming during the summer months.

This is an impressive presentation of a bastioned fortress perched on the side of the stunning Hook Peninsula, County Wexford, part of Ireland’s Ancient East. A fort was built on this site by Normans in the 12th century, and there may have been an earlier earthen fort built by Gaelic Irish. The present star fort was built in 1587–88 by Queen Elizabeth I to defend Waterford from possible invasion by the Spanish Armada.

A beautiful shallow lake located six miles north of Hutchinson in central Minnesota. The lake is 826 acres in size with a maximum depth of 25 feet . The southern two-fifths of the lake is in Acoma Township, McLeod County, and the northern three-fifths is in Meeker County.

Geneva Barracks in County Waterford, Ireland, was a barracks created in 1783 by converting a settlement which had been created for an 18th-century colony of disaffected citizens of Geneva following the Geneva Revolution of 1782. Built near Passage East, the colony was commissioned by the Irish Parliament and approved by British Royalty.

This beach is situated half a mile from the Kildermot Crossroads. There is a long lane from the Coastal road to the beach. This lane can be narrow and overgrown in parts, but leads to a lovely unobstructed sandy beach, which is surrounded by caves which are well worth a visit.

Bannow Island is an island in County Wexford. Bannow Island is situated northwest of Clammers Point, north of Selskar Rock. It is a beautiful beach that is heavily affected by the tide. There are rock pools to be enjoyed at the right side of the beach as you walk onto it, loads of little creatures to be found. It is well worth a visit if you’re looking for somewhere to go for a few hours.

This Cistercian monastery was founded c. 1200 by William, Earl Marshal on lands held through his marriage to the Irish heiress, Isabella de Clare. Between 1982 and 2007, the National Monuments service of the Office of Public Works undertook a number of excavation and heritage development efforts at the abbey.

The sand dunes in Tramore are some of the highest in Ireland, backed by a salt marsh and is home to some rare seaside plants and interesting wildlife. The dunes have been developing for over 50, 000 years and are constantly changing shape due to erosion which is slowed down by the marram grass covering the dunes.

Ballyhack Castle is located on a steep slope in a commanding position overlooking Waterford estuary in Ballyhack. It is a large tower house, thought to have been built c. 1450. The tower is five stories tall and the walls survive complete to the wall walk. Built into the north-east wall of the second floor is a small chapel complete with a piscina, aumbry and altar.

Strand Leisure is a family entertainment centre, with a casino area for adults. It is one of the iconic attraction in this area, which comprises of a pool and so many other interesting rides too. There are so many opportunities to enjoy.

The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens are set in the beautiful seaside town of Tramore, County Waterford, Ireland. These gardens are a living biography of the Greek/Irish writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, who was born in 1850 and died in 1904. There is also an American Garden, a Greek Garden and a traditional Japanese Tea Garden, in total there are eleven unique garden areas that reference much of his folklore and fairytale.

A irish homestead dating back to the 1700's stunningly decorated with over 50,000 sea shells.

The Doneraile walk covers about 2k along the cliff overlooking Tramore bay and across to Brownstown head on the other side of the bay. It has spectacular views of Tramore Bay, the Sandhills and Brownstown Head at the opposite side of the Bay. On a beautiful day there is nothing like a stroll along the cliff top where there are great areas to sit and even have a picnic.

Cullenstown Strand is one of Wexford’s many award winning beaches located on the East Coast near the small village of Cullenstown. The beach is a short 5 minute drive from Bannow, where the Normans landed back in 1169 at Bannow Bay. An iconic location for a short picnic and also there are so many things to see and do here.

Dunbrody Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in County Wexford, Ireland. The cross-shaped church was built in the 13th century, and the tower was added in the 15th century. With a length of 59m the church is one of the longest in Ireland. The visitor centre is run by the current Marquess of Donegall and has one of only two full sized hedge mazes in Ireland.

The Metal Man is a freestanding painted cast iron statue of a Royal Navy petty officer. It is placed between Rosses Point and Oyster Island. It was cast in 1819 by Thomas Kirke in London.It was placed on Perch Rock in 1821. It was originally made for the Blackrock Beacon, but Sligo merchants suggested it be placed on Perch Rock. It has an identical twin beacon the Metal Man, Tramore, County Waterford. From 16 October 1908, an acetylene light was placed beside him.