Comparing Lighthouses

Judy · Guru

Comparing Lighthouses

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I suppose much depends on how much time you have available and your willingness to travel. I don't think EITHER choice would be 'Wrong'.

In terms of Raw History, though, it's hard to beat Hook Head's 800 year back-story. Whilst Loop Head's surrounds probably eclipse Hook in terms of sheer magnitude, there are MANY worth-while attractions along the Hook Peninsula that might justify the 'Detour'. Tintern and Dunbrody Abbeys, Duncannon and Ballyhack Castle, as well as the always impressive, 'Copper Coast Drive'

And -- just to add an EXTRA dose of History -- Baginbun Beach is also nearby! http://timetravelireland.blogspot.com/2013/02/baginbun-county-wexford.html

A good info site for comparison: http://www.greatlighthouses.com/

Copper Coast Drive: http://www.ireland.com/en-gb/what-is-available/touring-holidays/self-drive-tours/destinations/republic-of-ireland/waterford/waterford-city/all/1-90250/

Dunbrody Abbey: http://www.dunbrodyabbey.com/

Tintern Abbey: http://www.colcloughwalledgarden.com/ http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-east/tinternabbey/

Duncannon Fort: https://hookpeninsula.com/project/duncannon-fort/

Ballyhack Castle: http://www.southeastireland.com/pballyhack-wexford-ireland.html

Michele Erdvig · Host

I haven't actually been inside the lighthouse at Loop Head because it was closed both times I was there. I did enjoy my tour of Hook Head lighthouse, which is the oldest in Ireland.

tony2phones · Guru

If you had 3 nights you could stay in the Loop Head Lighthouse keepers house or a few others around the coast via the Irish Landmark Trust. As you know there is more to Loop head than just a lighthouse and you could easily fill a day or more in the general area. The Lighthouse tour at Loophead is very informative but can be very busy and is being highly marketed, Clare council are looking to make it another Moher but the roads won't allow it. Sure I have a set of Photo's from a lighthouse visit somewhere.

Can't comment on Hook Head never visited.

Judy · Guru

Thanks Bob and Michele. It's good to know there is more than Hook Head south of Waterford. Last time we stayed in Waterford I didn't realize how much we missed. In fact we skipped Waterford and Wexford the last 3 trips. With your help it looks like we will be heading that way.

Thanks Bob for all the links. Those places you listed look intriguing. I especially think Duncannon Fort and Ballyhack Castle along with Hook Head would be worth going out of our way with a stay in Waterford.

Tony, the reason Loop Head was on my list was I thought we could make a stop there on our way from Killarney to Galway. If the weather was bad we could make the visit on our last day in Ennis. Maybe we will just do both Hook Head and Loop Head if time permits.

-- Edited by Judy on Monday 28th of November 2016 06:12:20 PM

tony2phones · Guru

Its a big detour to make on a run from Killarney to Galway even taking the ferry it adds 90 minutes plus whatever time you spend there. From Ennis if you have a full day between two nights then a loop of locations in south west Clare is an option. Adding Loop head into a days drive from Galway to Ennis, presumably including a stop at the Cliffs also makes for a long drawn day.

I'm not trying to put you off but you should be aware of the time investment in getting down to the point. Roads down there are typical rural Ireland and 40 mph can be an achievement in places rather than an average.

Judy · Guru

Tony, our run from Killarney to Galway would be between two nights with Loop Head the only detour. We have no plans to visit the Cliffs. Our 1st trip to the Cliffs in 1992 was awesome before all the commercialization. Each trip after that we saw more and more tourists and so the Cliffs have lost our interest. So happy we were there before the "improvements".

Thanks for the heads up about the roads on the way to Loop Head. If we get to Hook Head we may just skip Loop Head. Ennis will be our last night and although we have been to Ennis we never stayed overnight, so what would the best last night for trad music recommendation.

tony2phones · Guru

I used to swear by Brogans in Ennis and whilst it is still decent enough the fairly recent change of ownership and the "modern take on a trad bar" revamp has sent me across the road to the Diamond for drinks, Poets Corner (Old Ground) still good for food as would be Knox's or Cloisters, I don't like the Sherwood Cafe by Tesco's but the fact you have to queue for a table means it must be good.

Possible music? Faffa's (FF Considine's) have regular sessions as does the Diamond. There is always something on somewhere in Ennis but just where depends on the time of year the night of the week and which bar one or some of the wandering minstrals call into if there is a festival on somewhere. There is also regular music in the front bar of Queens and Preachers bar of the Temple Gate.

Judy · Guru

Thanks Tony. I've started a list for Food and Music in Ennis. I've always said that planning a trip to Ireland is half the fun.

Michele Erdvig · Host

When is your trip planned for Judy?

murphy · Guru

We visited Hook Lighthouse this past Oct. It was well worth the extra drive as a daytrip from Wexford. The guided tour was great and no denying the 800 year history was a compelling reason to investigate as well as the massive size, really thick walls and spectacular view from the top. Decent restaurant/coffee/tea/snack area too. I highly recommend it. Have not visited Loop Head Lighthouse so can't compare the structures or the area. Dan

Judy · Guru

Michele, we have 2 weeks, May into June. One week self catering in Killarney all set. Hopefully both lighthouses will be open, but it will be weather dependent. I guess we'll try for Hook Head 1st and if that doesn't work out, we'll have Loop Head for backup.

Dan, did you have to pre-book the tour? I noticed on the Hook Head web site it mentioned pre-booking the tours.

murphy · Guru

Judy, we did not pre-book. It was Mid October and not many people around when we visited. Our guided tour was just our group of 4. It was mid morning on our first stop of the day. If it was summer or lots of coaches coming in, it might be advisable to pre-book but wasn't mandatory when we were there. Dan

Judy · Guru

Thanks Dan.