The pride of Ireland's Ancient East, the magnificent Hook Head Lighthouse dates back 800 years and is the oldest working lighthouse in the world.
Tours - including the climb up '115 well worn steps' - are available all year round, and the stunning 360 degree views repay the effort many times over. It's a fascinating and atmospheric place for a day out and very popular with families, with regular fun activities offered and also an annual calendar of special events and late opening occasions for all ages.
And, with a good café and bakery on site, it has become a favourite destination for a bite to eat too.
The Visitor Centre is alongside the lighthouse, in the former keepers' houses, and you’ll hardly find a more spectacular location for a café. Tucked up cosily in the conservatory, it's a great place to watch the crashing waves outside (and perhaps spot some seals, dolphins or even the occasional whale) while you enjoy a tasty bite to eat.
Everything is home made and some local producers are credited on menus, which offer a good choice for lunch or just for snacking. Hook Head Seafood Chowder would be hard to resist, or there are freshly made soups, toasted sandwiches and a range of salads and light dishes, as well as home-made cakes, scones and bread from the in-house bakery.
The more substantial dishes are from the Farm, the Sea and the Land - a warming Pie of the Day, for example, Open Crab Sandwich and perhaps a perhaps a vegetarian Chickpea Curry - and there’s a small selection also for the Junior Lighthouse Keeper in your party.
An excellent weekend Brunch Menu is also available all day Saturday and Sunday. Expect morning mainstays such as Eggs Benedict and Ballyhack Smokehouse Salmon, also Protein Packed Avocado Toast and Toast and local mushrooms - both on toasted sourdough. Another favourite is the Hook Lighthouse Home-made Pancakes (beer and cardamon sugar pancakes), which come with quite a choice of toppings: banana, crispy bacon, Ballyhack smokehouse salmon, cream cheese and, of course, maple syrup.
A good hot cuppa is often the best choice to wash it all down, but it's also worth checking out the fridge full of soft drinks - including the delicious local Ballycross apple juices.
Not surprisingly perhaps, considering the location, there's a commendable commitment to the environment - the napkins are made from recycled compostable material,for example, the take-away cups are compostable, no plastic straws (paper ones available on request), and the water glasses are made from cornstarch not plastic.
All this a changing exhibition of interesting artworks too - featuring work by talented local artists, such as Helen Mason.
All round a brilliant place to visit.
