Survey Data
Reg No
15705414
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Archaeological, Architectural, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Lighthouse
In Use As
Lighthouse
Date
1200 - 1245
Coordinates
273372, 97361
Date Recorded
04/09/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding single-bay four-stage lighthouse, extant 1245, on a circular plan originally single-bay three-stage. "Restored", 1665-7. "Repaired", 1792. "Improved", 1864, producing present composition. Automated, 1996. Rendered walls on battered base including rendered walls (top stage) with cast-iron railings centred on lantern on rendered base. Interior including mural staircase accessing tiered cross-vaulted chambers including limewashed cross-vaulted chamber (top stage). Set on headland with limewashed boundary wall to perimeter having rounded coping.
Appraisal
A lighthouse representing an important component of the built heritage of south County Wexford [SMR WX054-010----]. NOTE: Cited as the one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world (CIL), the "Tower of Hook" is believed to owe its origins to William Marshall (1190-1231), second Earl of Pembroke, who survived a shipwreck off the Wexford Coast and who wished to assist safe passage to the burgeoning port at New Ross.