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The Wild Hook Peninsula: Things To Do, Where To Stay + The Ring Of Hook Dive

By Author James March

Posted on Last updated: April 7, 2022

A visit to the Hook Peninsula is one of our favourite things to do in Wexford .

Although it’s arguably best known for its famous Hook Lighthouse, there’s so much more to this wild corner of Ireland.

Below, you’ll discover everything from the Ring of Hook Drive and where to stay to some mighty things to do on the Hook Peninsula. Dive on in!

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about the Hook Peninsula

Photo via Shutterstock

Although a visit to the Hook Peninsula is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Situated in the most south-westerly corner of County Wexford , the peninsula is a 25-minute drive from New Ross , a 40-minute drive from both Wexford Town and Kilmore Quay and a 45-minute drive from both Rosslare and Waterford City .

2. An overlooked gem

Despite its rugged beauty and endless attractions, the Hook Peninsula tends to be pretty quiet, especially outside of the summer months. The result is a completely different experience than if you drove the likes of the Ring of Kerry or the Causeway Coastal Route , which are generally always busy.

3. Home to plenty to see and do

Where to begin? This a spot that’s home to pretty beaches, secluded coves, castles, medieval ruins and a truly iconic lighthouse. All of which we’ll be explaining in the sections below, but know that there’s a ton of stuff to see and do here!

4. The Ring of Hook

With the Hook Peninsula’s wealth of sights, something to link them all together would be ideal. And that’s where the coastal drive comes in! We’ll explain it in more detail towards the end, but the coastal drive is an epic way of exploring the area in an easy and accessible way. 

About the Hook Peninsula

Photo left: @ameliaslaughter. Right: @justpatcassidy

While the Hook Peninsula’s stunning landscapes need no introduction, it’s also had an interesting social history over the years. Everyone from Vikings, monks and Anglo-Normans landed ashore here and either settled or moved further inland from the Hook Peninsula.

And the ghosts of all those centuries of activity are still visible in the unique range of sights dotted around the peninsula. 

Whether it’s the imposing stone remains of Ballyhack Castle overlooking the Waterford Estuary or all the way up to the wind-battered ruins of Churchtown Church at the tip of the peninsula, there’s been a ton of life here down the years and discovering it all is a real treat. 

With an area covering 60 km2, there’s plenty to see and there’s no need to rush it either, so take your time and breathe it all in.

Things to do on the Hook Peninsula

Photos with thanks to @skogswex

There’s plenty of places to visit and things to do on the Hook Peninsula, so I’m going to show you the best of them, in no particular order.

However, at the end of the guide you’ll find a Google Map with the Ring of Hook mapped out, which will help you navigate the sites with ease.

1. Hook Lighthouse

Photos via Shutterstock

The awe-inspiring Hook Lighthouse is arguably the best known of the many Wexford attractions . Not only is it by some stretch the oldest lighthouse in Ireland, it’s actually the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the world!

Only the Roman-era Tower of Hercules in Spain’s Galicia region is older. Located right at the tip of the Hook Peninsula, the lighthouse has been guiding ships safely away from Wexford’s rocky shores for over 800 years and shows no sign of slowing down.

If you want to poke about inside Hook Lighthouse, tours are €6 for adults and €3.50 for children.

2. Loftus Hall

A pretty conspicuous sight situated about midway down the western side of the peninsula, Loftus Hall is a large country manor that’s almost as old as the lighthouse!

Owned by a number of different local families down the years, it was once attacked and suffered damage during the Irish Confederate Wars of the 17th century. 

These days, it’s more well-known as a haunted house and hosted guided tours until it was put up for sale in 2020. And while (at the time of writing) tours aren’t available, it’s still a cool place to see along the coast and one of the Hook Peninsula’s most famous sights. 

3. Duncannon Fort

One place that is open for tours (albeit summer only) and is well worth a visit lies further up the peninsula and closer to the Waterford Estuary.

Dating back to 1587, Duncannon Fort is a star fort that was constructed strategically to defend Waterford from possible invasion by the Spanish Armada. 

As a star fort, guns were able to be placed looking up and down river and the impressive fort has been visited over the years by Kings, pirates, rebels and World War II heroes. Get a window into the Hook Peninsula’s military history by giving Duncannon Fort a visit!

4. Duncannon Beach

If you want to stay in the area, but enjoy something a little more leisurely and at one with nature, then make the short walk down to Duncannon Beach !

Over a mile in length, its golden sands stretch from beneath the village of Duncannon out into the wide estuary carved by the River Barrow.

Its sheltered location protects it from the strongest waves and makes it a popular spot for swimming during the summer months. There are also some cracking views from the beach across the estuary to Hook Head and the hilly Waterford coast.

5. Dollar Bay

Surrounded by steep rocky cliffs and green fields, Dollar Bay is smaller than Duncannon Beach but is also one the most picturesque beaches in Wexford . Located further down and just south of Booley Bay , Dollar Bay is sheltered well by its cliffs and is a lovely spot for relaxing or taking a dip. 

The name Dollar Bay derives from a local legend of an alleged hidden treasure still on the beach to this day! So if you look hard enough, you may find more than just golden sands and pleasant views while visiting this stunning spot…

6. Templetown Church Ruins

Photo via Google Maps

Standing handsomely on a grassy mound elevated from the road and surrounded by an old graveyard with some interesting stones, the Templetown Church Ruins are an impressive sight as you drive down the L4045 on the western side of the Hook Peninsula!

Templetown was once the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Wexford and this religious military order was founded in the 12th century to protect Christian pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land.

While the infamous knights are no longer, curious visitors are free to wander around this ancient monument to their medieval power.

7. Churchtown Church

Now here are proper ruins! What remains of Churchtown Church near the tip of the Hook Peninsula are a fine example of what happens when man meets nature (and in this case, nature won convincingly!).

Blasted by wind and rain for hundreds of years after its initial construction in the 14th century, it was actually a Welsh monk named Dubhán who first built a church here back in the 5th century. 

But while the Church is no longer able to function, its roofless stone ruins are still a unique sight as you make your way around the peninsula.

8. Baginbun Head and the Martello Tower

A peninsula within a peninsula? Well, not quite but the way that Baginbun Head juts out from the Hook Peninsula’s eastern side could give that impression. Its wild headlands are beautiful and there’s a beach which is well sheltered.

But Baginbun is also one of Ireland’s more historic locations, as in 1170 it was from here that the Norman conquest of Ireland began. There’s also a Martello Tower here to check out that comes with its own military connotations, but that was obviously built many years later!

9. Fethard Castle

Photo © Celtic Routes via Ireland’s Content Pool

While the Hook Peninsula doesn’t have any towns to speak of, the community of Fethard might be the closest thing to one. And when you do visit here, there’s no mistaking the sight of Fethard Castle!

With its handsome four-story stone tower, the castle dates to around the 15th century and was probably built by the Bishop of Ferns. 

Though it’s not possible to enter the castle, visitors to Fethard are allowed to walk around the grounds and get a look up close to it. While it has been passed through many hands, the castle has essentially been in ruined condition after being abandoned in 1922. 

10. Saltmills Village

Receiving its name after the tidal mills built here by the monks of Tintern Abbey, Saltmills village was built over 200 years ago in 1815, followed shortly afterwards, in 1817, with the construction of its bridge, while nearby St Mary’s Church was built in 1819.

It’s a quaint little place located just south of Tintern Abbey at the head of a small inlet that enters Bannow Bay. Saltmills is a pleasant place for a stroll on a sunny day and make sure you stop by for a pint at the excellent Vine Cottage Bar. 

11. Tintern Abbey

Another of the Hook Peninsula’s sublime medieval sights, Tintern Abbey was a Cistercian abbey located just north of Bannow Bay.

Founded in 1200 by William Earl Marshal on lands held through his marriage to the Irish heiress Isabella de Clare, the abbey was also known as  “Tintern de Voto” (Tintern of the vow).

Come down and explore the elegant ruins before taking advantage of the surrounding woodlands, in which there are a few walking trails that explore a different side to the Hook Peninsula’s typical coastal image. And don’t miss the restored Colclough Walled Garden situated within the old estate.

12. Dunbrody Abbey

Photo via Ireland’s Content Pool

The furthest north that you’ll go on your journey around the Hook Peninsula, the impressive ruins of Dunbrody Abbey have been part of this lush green landscape since the 13th century.

In fact, with a length of 59 metres the church is one of the longest in Ireland. Though despite all of this, the abbey was dissolved under Henry VIII in 1536. 

It was eventually handed over by the Chichester family to the Office of Public Works in 1911 and nowadays you can visit the abbey and also the nearby maze. Open from May to September, adults can enter the abbey for €4 while children get in for €1. 

13. Ballyhack Castle

Photo © Failte Ireland courtesy of Luke Myers

Towering over the tiny fishing village with which it shares the same name, Ballyhack Castle was built around 1450 by the Knights Hospitallers of St John.

The castle was occupied by Cromwellian forces during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and was later used as a transportation point for those displaced by the Act for the Settlement of Ireland of 1652.

It’s from this association that the phrase “Go to Ballyhack” was coined. While admission is free, the castle is only open to the public during the summer months so make sure you visit then. 

There are a few ways of getting the most out of your time here, and some of the finest are simply putting yourself in the hands of those who know the area best! 

Hook Tourism run Hook Adventures which specialise in eco-tourism experiences including sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and adventure biking. 

The Irish Experience also offers expert local tours and similar unique experiences that make the most of the stunning wild landscape. Some of these include Sea cave kayaking, sunset kayaking and coastal canyoneering. 

If you want to really get to grips with the Hook Peninsula’s gorgeous scenery, then get in contact with these guys!

The Ring of Hook Drive (with map)

While the Ring of Kerry might be the first place you think of when considering a scenic drive in Ireland, don’t sleep on the Hook Peninsula drive either. 

In fact, this gorgeous drive covers all of the area’s most famous sights in the space of an hour! Of course, you’ll want to get out and some of the fabulous sights along the way but this compact drive is perfect for an afternoon or a whole day. 

Starting just north of Tintern Abbey, it winds down to Hook Lighthouse before meandering back up north and looping back around to the beginning.  

Where to stay on the Hook Peninsula

Photos via Booking.com

If you’re looking for places to stay on the Hook Peninsula, Seashells in Duncannon and Baginbun Lodge in Fethard-on-Sea are two excellent options. Here’s some info on both:

1. Seashells B&B

With bright and airy rooms looking out to Waterford Estuary, you can’t really go wrong with Seashells B&B. Located in Duncannon, there’s easy access to the rest of the Hook Peninsula and plenty of nice pubs and restaurants nearby serving superb seafood. 

2. Baginbun Lodge

Crossing from the western to the eastern side of the Hook Peninsula, Baginbun Lodge is a 12-bedroom lodge that’s ideal for couples or families. With cosy rooms and a host of beaches and trails nearby, it’s a great spot to appreciate the epic surrounding landscape. 

FAQs about visiting the Hook Peninsula

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How long does it take to get around?’ to ‘Where’s good for food?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How long is the Ring of Hook Drive?

It takes around 1-hour if you drive it without stopping, but allow at least 1/2 a day to get out and explore the various attractions.

Is the Hook Peninsula really worth visiting?

Yes! This is a stunning example of ‘wild Ireland’. There’s endless, unspoiled natural beauty and loads of things to see and do.

What is there to do on the Hook Peninsula?

You Hook Lighthouse, heaps of beaches, Duncannon Fort, castles, unique tours and lots more (see above).

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Hook Tourism

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Duncannon, County Wexford, Ireland

Hook Tourism is a community organisation which aims to promote the Hook Peninsula as a premier tourist destination and to protect its unspoiled natural landscape and built heritage. A membership body made up of over 75 local businesses work together towards achieving these goals.

The organisation runs the peninsula tourist offices in the villages of Duncannon and Fethard-on-Sea. Hook Tourism led on the restoration of the Georgian walled gardens at Tintern Abbey and now operates the ‘Colclough Walled Garden’ as a major tourist attraction which is open to the public 365 days a year.

Hook Tourism also developed and maintains three woodland walking trails in the woods at Tintern Abbey; and runs annual events such as Hike to the Hook, a 20km road walk (www.hiketothehook.com ); Tri the Hook Sprint Triathlon ( www.trithehook.com ) and the Hook Peninsula Photography Competition ( www.hookpeninsula.com ).

Tourist Office Opening Times:

Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm (All Year) June – August Open Weekends (Check Website for Times)

Photography courtesy of Kenny Rutledge, Narvin Ahmedova, Shirley Auld, Jenny McPhartland,  Andrew Sykes and Trisha Clancy.

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Mother of seven creates mobile travel guide to connect visitors to Black-owned businesses

CINCINNATI (WXIX) -A local mother of seven has created a digital travel guide to connect visitors to different cultural events and Black businesses in the area, paving the way for independent Black women.

Azizah Nubia created the Cincy Black Travel Guide in July 2023 to help visitors experience the best of Black culture in the city and find the best deals on concerts, flights, and events in the area.

Nubia noticed a need for an idea like this after attending Black Tech Week in the Tri-State area. She stated that visitors were unaware of local events going on at the time.

“We have thousands of people who come to Cincinnati during that week in July and like it’s a big tourist destination for black travelers, and so I said we need a map to guide people so they can know to go to Nostalgia, go to Soul Secrets or you know if you want a restaurant where you can sit down and bring the family we have a lot of restaurants in Forest Park. I just wanted it to be an inclusive app where black people go to places where they feel comfortable and can enjoy,” Nubia said.

Nubia says that the company specializes in curating travel packages for visitors without breaking the bank.

Cincy Black Travel Guide recently partnered with the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to offer visitors the best flight deals.

Since its launch, the app has been the second most downloaded app in the country, Nubia said.

In addition to the app, Nubia is also the founder and creator of Natural Woman, which started as a magazine and has evolved into a lifestyle brand with podcasts and curated events.

When she is not busy with the app and Natural Woman, she runs her advertising agency, AZ Media.

”I’m living my dreams, and every day I wake up to come into this and see AZ media suite 315 to know that my office started in my bedroom with a laptop on the bed and into where it is now, where it supports me and my family. It’s amazing,” Nubia said.

After taking a desktop publishing class in the tenth grade, Nubia taught herself everything she needed to know to run her businesses, overcoming barriers.

She says she is teaching her children to never stop chasing their dreams.

“It’s just a testament that whatever you believe in, whatever you put your mind to, you can make it happen,” Nubia explains.

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A perfect piece of Ireland . . .  The Pinnacle point in Ireland’s Ancient East, discover the natural beauty and tranquillity of the unspoiled Hook Peninsula .  Stretching out from the scenic Southeast corner of Ireland, neighbouring Waterford & Kilkenny, the Hook Peninsula is famous for its breath-taking vistas, magnificent natural landscapes, national heritage sites, beautiful gardens, pure sands and calm seas – this is the untouched ancient Ireland you’ve been longing to visit.

Try your hand at some adventure with kite surfing, kayaking, coast steering and surfing all on offer.  Wind down from your adrenaline fuelled day with a stroll on a beautiful woodland walking trail or relax on one of our stunning beaches.  When you have worked up an appetite, sample one of the many seafood pubs and restaurants.  From Michelin dining to award winning bistros, there is something for all tastes and pockets.

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How to buy New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival tickets: Dates and prices compared

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The 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is officially underway, and the lineup is a can't-miss experience. The Rolling Stones are among the many performers slated to play, making it one of the most highly-anticipated stops on the festival circuit this spring. With the festival just around the corner, we've put together everything you need to know about how to buy New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival tickets, including who's playing what day and how to find tickets to sold-out dates. 

First established in the '70s, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has become a staple of the music scene for both Louisiana and the country as a whole. The Rolling Stones were originally slated to play five years ago but had to reschedule. They intended to play again a few years ago, but the entire festival was canceled, so their upcoming headlining performance has been a long time in the making. This year's festival will also bring Vampire Weekend, Hozier, and Neil Young Crazy Horse to the stage, among many others.

Whether you're looking to spend a few days at the festival or just hoping to see Mick Jagger perform, we've got you covered. Here's our breakdown of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival schedule, purchasing details, and original and resale ticket prices. You can also peruse StubHub and Vivid Seats at your leisure. 

• See also: Rolling Stones tickets | Bruce Springsteen tickets | Stevie Nicks tickets | Aerosmith tickets | Noah Kahan tickets

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Schedule

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will take place over two weeks, April 25-28 and May 2-5. Single-day tickets are available, in addition to multi-day ticket packages. Below, you'll find the cheapest starting prices listed on StubHub and Vivid Seats at the time of writing. 

• Flights & hotel:  Booking.com  |  Expedia  
• Flights:  Booking.com  |  Expedia  
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How to buy New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival tickets

Tickets to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival are sold through AXS. Some tickets, like the May 2 single-day tickets and some multi-day packages, have sold out. Tickets and packages for every day are available through resale vendors like StubHub and Vivid Seats . 

How much are New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival tickets?

Original single-day tickets range in price from $85 (for the "Early Bird Ticket," which was available until February 19) to $225 (for the "Rolling Stones & More" single-day ticket on May 2). Original multi-day packages start from $240 (for a 3-day package on the second week that excludes May 2 performances).

There are several VIP ticket tiers like the GA+ 4-day, the Big Chief VIP, the Grand Marshall VIP, and the Krewe of Jazz Fest. Original VIP packages are sold out for the second week, but resale packages are still available on StubHub and Vivid Seats.

StubHub's cheapest single-day tickets start at $82 on May 5. Vivid Seats' cheapest single-day ticket listings start at $94 on May 4. Three-day listings for the second week start at $200 on StubHub and $342 on Vivid Seats. Four-day listings, which include the coveted May 2 tickets, start at $500 on StubHub and $568 on Vivid Seats.

Who is playing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival?

The 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has an impressive lineup. The first week includes performances from The Beach Boys (April 25), The Killers (April 26), Jon Batiste (April 26), Christ Stapleton (April 27), Vampire Weekend (April 27), and Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals (April 28), among others. 

The second week features performances from The Rolling Stones (May 2), Foo Fighters (May 3), Hozier (May 3), Neil Young & Crazy Horse (May 4), Greta Van Fleet (May 4), Queen Latifah (May 4), Bonnie Raitt (May 5), and Earth, Wind & Fire (May 5), among others.

The festival has always drawn in big names, even if they're not in the jazz music scene. Past performers include Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Gladys Knight, Van Morrison, and Willie Nelson, among many others. 

Note: Certain services and regions prohibit the resale of tickets. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal reselling of tickets, and entry into an event is at the venue's discretion.

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The U.S. economy slowed down in the first three months of 2024, report shows

Scott Horsley

The U.S. economy grew more slowly than expected in the first three months of the year. But consumers are still spending money — especially on services such as travel and restaurant meals.

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

But first, the U.S. economy downshifted the first three months of this year. The government report out today shows the economy grew less than half as fast in the first quarter as it did during the previous three months. The news triggered a sell-off in the stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 375 points. NPR's Scott Horsley joins me now. Hey, Scott.

SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Hi - good to be with you.

DETROW: So investors were not happy about the slowdown. How big of a concern is this?

HORSLEY: Today's report shows the economy grew at an annual rate of just 1.6% in the first quarter. That is a marked downshift from the previous quarter, when we grew at nearly 3.5%. But, you know, that headline figure may overstate just how hard we hit the brakes. Some of the drop-off came from one-time factors, which really don't tell us much about the underlying economy.

If you zoom in on consumer spending, which is the biggest driver of economic growth, that actually held up pretty well. Americans did spend less on big-ticket items like cars and furniture in the first three months of the year. Those things are often financed, so high interest rates are likely taking a toll. But economist Shannon Grein of Wells Fargo notes people continue to ramp up their spending on services like restaurant meals and travel.

SHANNON GREIN: I think the overall report was still consistent with an economy that's pretty much firing on all cylinders.

HORSLEY: Indeed, services spending rose at an annual rate of 4% in the first quarter, which is fast enough to keep the economy chugging along and potentially fast enough to put some upward pressure on inflation. In fact, today's report shows a key measure of inflation ticked up in the first quarter, so that's something the Federal Reserve is going to be keeping a close eye on.

DETROW: And, of course, they've been keeping interest rates high. How are people paying for all of this spending?

HORSLEY: You know, some people are relying on credit to finance their spending, which is costly if you don't pay off that balance every month. But a lot of this spending is being bankrolled by people's paychecks. You know, we still got a very strong labor market. Lots of people are working. Wages are going up. And most people are not saving a lot of what they earn, so that money's going right back out the door as spending.Today's report also shows business investment held up pretty well in the first quarter, and there was a surprisingly big jump in housing investment.

DETROW: Yeah. That was interesting, especially since, as we've been saying throughout the conversation, mortgage rates are still pretty high. What's going on there?

HORSLEY: Yeah. Those high mortgage rates are definitely dragging down the housing market. Sales of existing homes are down, and there aren't a lot of older homes on the market, but that's giving an unexpected boost to new home construction. Investment in new homes was way up in the first quarter. Shawn Woods is a home builder in Kansas City. He says about 1 out of 3 homes sold in that area is now newly built.

SHAWN WOODS: The inventory that people can find for a new home is new construction, which is great for us as homebuilders, helping out our sales a lot. March and April have been really good months. We're looking for continued good momentum through the spring.

HORSLEY: Woods and other home builders have also been downsizing some of their homes, maybe cutting back on some of the luxury finishes in order to craft a product that home buyers can afford.

WOODS: Before the pandemic, there's no way we could get under really 325,000, and we have reengineered some of our plans, taken different specifications and things like that. And we're bringing new homes to the market now in the 286 to 290 range, starting price. So that's helped immensely.

HORSLEY: That's especially important now that mortgage rates are up above 7%.

DETROW: That's NPR's Scott Horsley. Scott, thanks so much.

HORSLEY: You're welcome.

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Fitch Ratings downgraded outlook on Boeing to "negative" from "stable" on Friday, amid a fallout from safety crisis impacting the U.S. planemaker's production and cashflow.

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