Hook Head is the oldest lighthouse in Ireland,
and one of the oldest in Europe still operating.
In the 5th century St Dubhan set up a fire beacon
on the headland as a warning to mariners. After
his death his monks kept the beacon going for
another 6 centuries. Between 1170 and 1184 the
Normans built the present lighthouse. It was
built from local limestone and burned lime mixed
with ox blood. Even today traces of the
blood-lime mix can be seen coming through the
paintwork. The walls are 9 to 13 feet thick
and 80 feet above the ground