Hook Peninsula dramatic coast
Further South on the Hook Peninsula the coast becomes truly dramatic rock formations thrashed by the white peaked waves and warnings of blow holes, along with tantalising opportunities to explore sea caves and see an array of sea life including Puffins and Humpback Whales to name but a few. The high dunes and wide sands of the likes of Curracloe (where they filmed ‘Saving Private Ryan’) and Balinesker make the Wexford Coastline a perfect destination for bucket and spade laden kids and surfers. Curracloe is particularly good as it has disabled access, but it is extraordinarily popular.
Day three and the weather picked up to steamy hot so we explored the Hook Peninsula. The Peninsula is about an hours drive beginning 29km south of Wexford turning off the R733 to Tintern Abbey and Saltmills. Unlike many destinations in Ireland, it’s clearly signposted following the coastline to the farthest point South at the Hook lighthouse and up the Western side of the coast to Duncannon, then rejoining the R733 coast road. The route follows a series of landmarks. Some are little more than landmarks, the crumbling remains of the areas past when it was subjugated by the Vikings and then the Anglo-Normans who built their trade mark castles and many a rebellious uprising since.