You must have heard or used the phrase “by hook or by crook”. Where does it come from? It is believed to have originated in the 17th century when English General Oliver Cromwell, in his threat to conquer the City of Waterford in South-East Ireland, said that he would take the city “by Hook or by Crooke”.
Now Hook is the headland on the Wexford side of South-East Ireland and Crooke is a small village on the opposite side of Hook Head.
Hook Head is no battlefield, but is famous for its spectacular ocean view and the ancient lighthouse, which is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world.
Ireland is comprised of 32 counties out of which South-East Ireland covers the counties of Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.
The region is distinctly different and possesses a landscape, history, culture and character undeniably its own. Its uniqueness is built around some of its early visitors from across the seas – the Celts, Vikings and Normans who came, conquered and stayed. Each of them have left lasting footprints of their presence in the castles and abbeys, villages and settlements, bridges and buildings along the river valleys of this ancient land.
Wicklow and Carlow are jewels of the county with their wealth of scenery – from rich pasture land, colourful mountains and river valleys. The Powercourt House and Gardens in Wicklow is one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Nearby Glendalough Tower in the middle of a cemetery is a historic site amid two beautiful lakes.
Kilkenny is the medieval capital of Ireland that offers an abundance of fascinating historical sites, one of which is the regal, majestic and ancient Kilkenny Castle, overlooking the River Nore. Nearby is the thirteenth century Saint Canices cathedral. Fascinating in the Kilkenny city are the narrow cobbled streets with different shops, restaurants and pubs on both sides, serving a pint of Guinness or Smithwicks, for those who prefer the locally brewed stuff.
The most popular pub in Kilkenny is the 13th century pub called Kyteler’s Inn, which was the home of Dame Alice Kyteler, a lady of great wealth who married four times and was accused of witchcraft and of poisoning each of her four husbands.
Waterford City, which is set in a commanding site on the River Suir’s estuary, was founded by the Vikings in 853 as a sea port and later extended by the Anglo-Normans. Along Merchant’s Quay is the Clock Tower – a Victorian-Gothic structure, which was built in 1861. Further along the Quay is the round Reginald Tower that has stood on this site for over a thousand years. The nearby Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity has the distinction of being the earliest post-Reformation Roman Catholic cathedral in Britain or Ireland. Waterford is also known as the “Crystal County”, being the home for the world-renowned Waterford Crystal.
NewRoss in Wexford is a small town where US President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather came from. In memory of that connection, the Irish and US governments have built the 252 hectare arboretum, which contains some 4500 types of tress and shrubs from all over the world.
The people, the history, the coast, the B&B accommodation and the pubs with lively Irish music are all the ingredients for a great holiday in wonderful South-East Ireland.
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