Hook Head (Irish: Rinn Duáin) is a headland in County Wexford, Ireland located on the east side of the estuary of the three sisters rivers (the Nore, Suir and the Barrow). It is part of the Hook peninsula and is adjacent to the historic townland of Loftus Hall. It is situated on the R734, 50 km (31 mi) from Wexford town.
Hook Head is said to have found its way into common English usage in the saying "By Hook or by Crook." It's claimed that the phrase is derived from attempts to take Waterford by Hook (on the east side of the harbour) or by Crook (a village on the west side of the harbour) by Oliver Cromwell.
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This area is renowned as the location of Hook Lighthouse. Hook Head is the oldest lighthouse in Ireland, and one of the oldest in Europe still operating. In the 5th century St Dubhán set up a fire beacon on the headland as a warning to mariners. After his death his monks kept the beacon going for another 600 years. Between 1170 and 1184 the Normans built the present lighthouse. It was built from local limestone and burned lime mixed with ox’s blood. Even today traces of the blood-lime mix can be seen coming through the paintwork. The walls are 9 to 13 feet thick and 80 feet above the ground.[1] In 1665 King Charles II granted letters patent to Sir Robert Reading to erect six lighthouses on the coast of Ireland, one of which was at Hook Head on the site of the older lighthouse, the others being at Howth, one to mark the land, the other to lead over the bar; the Old Head of Kinsale, Barry Oge's castle (now Charlesfort, near Kinsale), and the Isle of Magee.[2]
On Wednesday the 10th of October 2007 it had been reported that significant amount of oil has been found off the coast of Hook head, in the north Celtic Sea. An Irish company, Providence Resources have drilled test holes and are said to have discovered good quality oil.[3]
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