Shooting Arrows at The Hook

An age-old tradition is set to take place on New Year’s Day at the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford as the archers, both expert and amateur, participate in a traditional “arrow ceremony”.

At 1 pm, the Dunbrody Archers will join Cllr Bridín Murphy, An Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of New Ross Council, to participate in the ceremony. The ancient tradition dates back to 1687, when the Mayor and the corporation of New Ross Town Council claimed their authority over the Tower and waters by travelling to the point of the Hook and shooting an arrow into the sea from Hook Head Lighthouse. 

On New Year’s Day 2025, the Cathaoirleach will cast an arrow into the sea, symbolising the port authority over the estuary.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Larry Colgan at Hook Lighthouse said: “This is always a wonderful occasion, harking back to eras past and re-creating a moment in history here on the bedrock of the oldest operational lighthouse in the world.”