Skip the Line: Hook Lighthouse Entrance Ticket and Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Located at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford in Ireland's Ancient East, the Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, and has marked the entrance to Waterford Harbour for over 800 years. Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of this purpose-built, fully operational lighthouse. The visitor center features a gift shop, an art workshop, exhibits and a café. The Hook Lighthouse truly is one of a kind. This shared guided tour is available for groups of no more than 5.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A maximum of 5 people per booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes for climbing the 115 steps inside the tower to the viewing balcony
What To Expect
Hook Lighthouse
Your admission ticket allows for a guided tour of the lighthouse starting at your chosen late-morning time. Your guide will walk you through 800 years of the history of light-keeping at Hook Lighthouse, giving you insight to how its keepers lived throughout the ages. You will meet St Dubhan and William Marshall (the greatest Knight) on your journey, while your guide regales stories from the lighthouse's past. The tour will culminate in spectacular views from the Balcony of the Lighthouse. In clear weather you can see for miles, and in a storm the spray often reaches the top of the lighthouse!
Options
10:00am Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
15:00 Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
14:00 Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
17:00 Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
11:00am Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
16:00 Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
12:00 Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
13:00 Tour
45 min tour of Hook Lighthouse, the oldest, most operational intact lighthouse in the world. Climb the 115 steps and learn about Lighthouse Keeping through the ages, finishing with spectacular views.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Meeting points
Hook Lighthouse
Hook Head Fethard On Sea Ireland
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
485 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Well worth the price of admission - don’t miss it!
scousepirate56,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, John, was extremely good. Clear delivery that was interesting, informative and entertaining. This made the experience so rewarding and well worth the price paid for the tour. If you are planning a visit or stay in the south east area of Ireland I would thoroughly recommend taking this 45 minute tour of the world’s oldest fully operational lighthouse. Two thumbs up!!
Amazing lighthouse tour
Cloj96,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed our tour of Hook Head Lighthouse. John, our tour guide, was absolutely fantastic and was clearly well studied on the history of Hook Head, Irish Lights and lighthouses in general. He kept the crowd engaged the entire time. We would definitely recommend this tour if you're along the south east coast.
Amazing tour, fabulous place, special history!
348leeanned,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited on 7th June for the last tour of the day. It was only us on the tour with Molly, who was outstanding and everything you would want in a guide - friendly, nice pace of delivery, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. All our questions were answered and we had a great time. We really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as we did, so thank you Molly and to all who look after this special place. We will definitely return someday and if you're reading this and haven't been - then go! You won't regret it!
A hidden gem
derrickh450,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent tour full of history and fascinating facts. Lisa the tour guide was excellent, especially with the children on the tour and made it engaging and accessible to everyone on the tour. Highly recommend this tour!
Very informative. Jane is superb!
MalkyMcG,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the lighthouse tour on a rainy bank holiday Monday and really enjoyed it. It was made by Jane who was a super knowledgeable and passionate guide. She knew the history of the lighthouse inside out and delivered her stories with a confidence beyond her years. The only disappointment is the tour didn't include the living quarters where the families lived during their tenure working at the lighthouse. Overall would recommend though.
Hooked on Hook Lighthouse
marybethw322,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hook Lighthouse is quite the experience. The only way to see the Lighthouse is to book a tour - our guide Lisa LOVES the lighthouse. Her enthusiasm for its history is contagious. The fact that it is old - over 800 years old, still working, is amazing. The view is unreal. You will enjoy (especially on a clear day!) We have added Hook Lighthouse to the list of “must dos” when we have visitors.
Hook Head Lighthouse
G6207IUkathrync,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an awesome site to visit. The staff were welcoming, the group just 9 people, the guide engaging, passionate and knowledgeable, the history very interesting, the views, even on this misty day, were fantastic. Thoroughly recommend 5 🌟 from me 🙂
Beautiful working lighthouse
ljretires,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The lighthouse and the area is beautiful to see. The tour you did get to climb the lighthouse and get some information. John was our tour guide and was very much into the lighthouse and saying all of us has part of it because our families probably passed by it. It was hooked on William Marshall and spoke about him more then the lighthouse
Great Experience
cdF7485FF,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Lighthouse Tour was very educational and entertaining with great scenery all around. The history is absorbing and related by John Pearce an avid guide who showed great passion and detailed knowledge. Certainly worth the drive. There is a plenty to do for children and a restaurant on site.
Great tour, very nice location with equally beautiful views.
Bianka L,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great views, a really nice place to relax. Our guide Paul was very nice, you could tell he enjoyed the tour. It was very informative and entertaining. Definitely recommended.
Related Experiences
Operated by Hook Heritage ltd