St Dubhan's Church

It is very fitting that we came upon this delightful church as we were on the way to the medieval lighthouse at Hook Head. St Dubhan, who came to Hook Point from Wales in 452 A.D and established a monastery on this site, is believed to have lit the first warning beacon for ships on the point shortly after his arrival. This beacon had been maintained by the monks for 700 years until the current lighthouse was built. The original east wall of the medieval church (now in the centre of the church) includes remains of antae (projections of the side walls beyond the gable) and evidence for a round-headed window in which a doorway was inserted to give access to the later chancel.