ARCT40080 Research & Innovation I 05/09/2019
Matthew Murphy – 12362101
The Constructed Setting of The Hook Peninsula
Matthew Murphy 12362101
ARCT40080
Research Essay
05/09/2019
ARCT40080 Research & Innovation I 05/09/2019
Matthew Murphy – 12362101
The tapering promontory of the Hook, positioned within the barony of Shelburne within the southwestern nook of County Wexford, varieties the Jap boundary of Waterford Harbour.
Though this research focuses totally on the peninsula itself. As a consequence of its peninsular character,
the Hook has all the time been a thought-about distant and remoted; but its affiliation with
Waterford Harbour has given the area strategic significance, notably evident within the
medieval interval. Remoteness by land and accessibility by sea have had a profound impression on
the evolution of the panorama and settlement on the peninsula, contributing to the
improvement of a cultural identification and continuity. The standard use of the estuary as a
political and ecclesiastical boundary additional remoted the Hook as a frontier space. The
significance of the harbour with its three sister rivers the Barrow, the Suir and the Nore has
been recognised since earliest occasions recognized in Irish as Comar na dTr? nUisce (the confluence
of three rivers). The harbour has been utilized by many waves of newcomers together with the
Vikings (who gave it its current identify), the Anglo-Normans and the English.
Fig. 1 This view, taken type three,000m trying in direction of the north-east, dramatically illustrated
the peninsular, rock-bound topography of the Hook, its menace to transport emphasised by the
imposing medieval lighthouse. The common property field-system of Loftus Corridor within the center
distance contrsts sharply with the small fields and fragmented holdings related to the
farmhouse cluster of Churchtown within the left foreground. In the precise foreground the townland
of Slade replicates the contrasting discipline patterns. The manorial village of Slade, with its tower
home, developed on the solely pure touchdown place on the peninsula, beside a small bay
sheltered from prevailing south-westerly winds. Within the far distance, the promontory of
Baginbun and the island of Bannow are seen, each websites related to the arrival of the
Anglo-Normans within the late twelfth century.
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The significance of Waterford Harbour as a commerce route inevitably influenced the expansion
of settlement within the adjoining district. Within the medieval interval, the muse of key ports on
its tributary rivers made the safety of the harbour a precedence. Safety necessities within the
late twelfth century led have been partly liable for the granting of the land bordering
Waterford harbour within the Hook area to excessive profile non secular orders; the Cistercians at
Dunbrody and the Templars at Templetown. Within the early thirteenth century the quantity of
shippingusing the harbour led to the constructing of a singular tower on the tip of the peninsula as
a lighthouse and navigation support. Within the late Sixteenth century the development of Duncannon
fort was motivated by safety and financial considerations. The Civil Survey compiled within the
1650s emphasised the industrial significance of the harbour and its river system:
These three incomparable sisters generally referred to as the three well-known rivers of Barrow, Nore
and Suir, whose beautiful embracements makes the harbour deep and spatious, protected for
navigation which plentiful enricheth the a number of elements of this nation and commerce, with
transport each international and home.
The granting of the area to 3 non secular foundations within the medieval interval
established the elemental matrix for subsequent social and panorama organisation, giving
a cohesiveness and distinctive character plan to the settlement sample. This was notably
true for the Cistercian estates which in principle at the very least, created a tabula rosa by eradicating all
lay folks type the monastic lands. The three secular estates which advanced from the Church
lands within the sixteenth century inherited current lands and tenants and, in flip, added a brand new
layer of occupants and infrastructure. These two principal durations of colonisation and alter
in land possession led to a three-tiered society made up of Irish, Previous English and New English.
By the mid nineteenth century the Hook had one of many highest densities of English household
place-names in Eire. Equally, the excessive ratio of Irish and English place-names with cultural
parts is the product of this distinctive settlement historical past.
Whereas improvement on the estates over three centuries was broadly related, there have been
additionally marked variations. These included location, pure sources, the introduction of recent
tenants and the social and political philosophy of the owner. Based mostly on hierarchical class
construction which generated concern about tenurial rights, the property system inspired
psychological dependence whereas offering a fundamental financial and social construction. The impression
of the psyche on the Hook folks will need to have been heightened by the erection of an
spectacular gateway at Porters Gate, on the neck of the peninsula, as an entrance to the
Loftus demense lands. Though the gateway was eliminated seventy years in the past, the positioning continues to be
known as the piers; a sign that the gate, in addition to being an precise barrier,
created a subliminal division between insiders and outsiders. The disintegration of the
property system and revolution in land possession on the finish of the nineteenth century
launched appreciable social change. Individuals whose ancestors had been tenants for
generations turned house owners of their conventional household farm; a rise in emigration was
additionally inevitable as the assorted conventional occupations which supported a labouring class on
the property have been now not viable. Despite the extremely organised nature of the property system,
the secluded, cul-de-sac nature of Hook allowed older panorama and cultural options to
survive intrusive forces of change, notably on the Loftus lands within the south of the area;
the resultant panorama and society are outstanding palimpsests of complicated origin.
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The bodily attributes of the peninsula itself has a basic impression on the expansion
of settlement; selections which resulted in panorama adjustments have been inevitably influenced by
location, topography, geology and soil high quality. In a area with such in depth maritime
connections, the ocean clearly performed a distinguished function in folkss lives, particularly alongside the
coastal strip. The necessity to exploit the wealthy off-shore fishing grounds, for industrial in addition to
subsistence functions, led to the development of six small harbours, which have been additionally engaged
in low-level industrial exercise. The alternatives for employment provided by the ocean have been
taken up by many who broadened their horizons by crusing the world. Derelict homes within the
area are reminders of many others who left by sea, not as sailors however as emigrants, whose
descendants periodically return in search of their ancestral origins.
The Hook Lighthouse
The Tower of Hook or Hook Lighthouse, positioned on the tip of the headland as a
navigation support, was constructed within the early thirteenth century as a part of the event of the
Lordship of Leinster. Realising the significance of Waterford Harbour and its river system for
commerce and transport, Marshal established the port of New Ross on the river barrow 30
kilometres from opens sea. Maybe influenced by his personal slim escape from shipwreck,
Marshall knew that transport wanted to be guided safely into Waterford harbour if his port in
New Ross was to be successful. As a navigation support, he had a thirty-six metre excessive round
tower constructed on the tip of the peninsula to behave as a landmark by day and a fireplace tower by
night time. The monks type the monastery of Rinn Dubh?in have been concerned within the building of
the tower and acted because the lightkeepers and have been granted upkeep within the type of
cash and in any other case from the Pembroke Property to maintenance the lighthouse. In medieval
occasions non secular organisations have been generally related to the show of warning lights.
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Marshals thought for a lightweight tower could have been impressed by Mediterranean examples corresponding to
the Crusader lighthouse at Acre or the Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria. The tower of hook
was primarily based on cylindrical castles which have been standard in France.
The monks lived within the tower which served as a monastery and a lighthouse. For 4
centuries the Tower of Hook remained within the management of Marshals of New Ross. The monks
discontinued to behave as custodians following the dissolution of their monasteries in 1540. Lay
folks would have tended to the lighthouse however following extraordinarily powerful financial occasions
within the seventeenth century the lighthouse ceased to function. In 1671 Robert Readinge was
granted ?500 a yr to restore and construct six lighthouses on of those being the tower of Hook.
He erected a glass lantern to guard the coal burning fireplace from the weather.
Within the late seventeenth century the possession of the tower handed to Henry Loftus, who had
acquired the lands of the Hook subsequent to Cromwells marketing campaign in Eire. In 1706 he
leased the tower to the authorities for 21 years at ?11 a yr. In 1728, Nicholas Loftus
threatened to shut the lighthouse in an try to boost lease to ?200 per yr. In 1867, the
Commissioner of Irish Lights was arrange because the physique accountable for Irish lighthouses. Through the
1860s, three dwellings have been constructed for the light-keepers and their households. New gasoline lights
have been put in in 1871 lit by gasoline manufactured within the lighthouse enclosure nonetheless generally known as the
gasoline yard. Parrafin oil subsequently turned the supply of energy. In 1972, electrical energy got here the
energy supply and light-weight delicate switches have been put in to regulate the lantern. In March
1996, the Hook lighthouse turned absolutely autonomous and the final of the light-keepers who
had climbed the steps and tended the sunshine for nearly eight hundred years have been completely
withdrawn from the station. The tower of Hook now could be an intrinsic attraction because the
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oldest remaining lighthouse on the planet and
it’s now accessible to the general public as a vacationer
attraction.
The lighthouse was constructed with
2.5 metre thick stone partitions on the base and
divided into three tiers with vaulted stone
ceilings. The decrease tier has three rib-vaulted
ceilings with a stairway ascending by
the thickness of the wall. The narrower
higher part carried the warning beacon.
Nonetheless in use as a lighthouse, the considerably
intact tower would be the solely secular
medieval constructing in Eire nonetheless serving its
unique operate.
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Slade Fortress
Slade Fortress is likely one of the greatest preserves of its kind and it’s maintained as a nationwide
monument. Some towers had connected homes or halls, often timber and dirt building.
The citadel at Slade had adjoining stone halls and is considered forming a particular kind of
citadel. The tower home has 4 flooring with stone vaults over a ground-floor loft and third
story. A half-storey on prime, with a glance out platform overhead offering entry to the
machicolation. A mural stairway within the south wall results in the loft beneath the vault; a wellpreserved spiral stairway continues to the highest, the place nearly full stepped battlements
survive.
The principal chamber on the primary ground has a fire, garderobe and window with
seats. The some-what later fortified
home related with the nook of
the tower however no provision was made
for inside communication. A hyperlink
was later supplied by constructing a
construction within the angle and knocking
out two tough openings at first ground
stage. The vaulted floor ground has
loops in embrasures and a mural
chamber excessive on the south wall. Two
inside partitions have been later inserted as
effectively as a big fire and chimney
on the west wall. From an entrance
foyer, protected by a murder-hole, a
stairway ascends within the south wall to
the primary ground. Now divided by a later
wall, this ground, with a loft, was
initially a big room with a
garderobe (now destroyed), free
standing fire and chimney.
Some ogee-headed home windows had
double lights and window seats.
Stairs within the south wall and surviving
stepped battlements was presumably
from this stage. An exterior stairway
on the east wall was a part of
eighteenth-century alterations.
ARCT40080 Research & Innovation I 05/09/2019
Matthew Murphy – 12362101
Loftus Corridor and Loftus Demense
Loftus Corridor originates as Redmond Corridor, a late medieval residence erected by the
Redmond household, who have been tenants on the manor of Kilcloggan. Within the late seventeenth
century, this construction was occupied by Henry Loftus, who renovated and enlarged the
constructing and adjustments its identify to Loftus Corridor. In 1752, the home was described as follows: A
late seventeenth century home is gable-ended and of two storeys and 9 bays, with a
dormed rood and steep pedimented ready. It’s fronted by a forecourt with tall piers
surmounted by ball finials and has a haunted tapestry room.
It’s possible that additional
enhancements have been subsequently made,
however, by the tip of the nineteenth century,
the corridor was not in good restore. In 1870, a
choice was made to stage your entire home
and to erect the current construction on the
similar web site, incorporating elements of the
earlier constructing. Following demolition
rubble was dumped alongside the cliff edge,
the place it will possibly nonetheless be seen. The outbuildings,
together with the coach home and walled backyard
have been left untouched and nonetheless survive in
varied levels of preservation. Constructed to a somewhat plain design, the brand new constructing is an oblong
Victorian pile of three storeys. The east going through entrance fa?ade has 9 bays with hood
mouldings over home windows, pedimented on the primary ground, and a projecting portico with glass
panels to the south facet has seven bays with a bow extension. Two stone eagles, most likely
taken from the present constructing are perched on the ornamental balustrade which hides the
flat roof. The bottom ground has a number of giant reception rooms, some with panelled ceilings and
elegant marble fireplaces. The principle function of the home, a splendid oak stairway in a central
effectively lit by a cupola, ascends to a gallery round which the bedrooms are positioned. The
stairway was imported from Italy and assembled by native carpenters. The corridor was fitted with
hot-air central heating, gasoline lights with Waterford Crystal chandeliers and operating water,
provided from a reservoir constructed on larger floor two kilometres to the north.
It’s obscure the explanations
behind the key funding in a brand new constructing, in
view of the unsure environment of the time.
The Land Acts of the next forty years resulted
within the property being diminished to a fraction of its
unique dimension. In 1913, the corridor with its remaining
seventy acres was put up on the market and was
bought as a convent for Benedictine nuns. In
1936, the Benedictines left and the constructing was
acquired by the Rosminian Order. The primary
postulants, together with some native ladies, have been
accepted the next yr. The convent was opened up as a summer season venue for different
orders of nuns, who had unique use of the non-public seaside generally known as Corridor Bay. Within the 1980s,
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the nuns offered the property and it was subsequently run briefly as a lodge. At current the
constructing is ran as a vacationer attraction capitalising on regionally well-known tales that the Corridor is
haunted.
Following the accomplice warfare, the Loftus household took over the lands of the Redmonds
and Laffans on the hook, containing the townlands of Corridor, Church city, Slade, Galgystown
and Porters Gate. The Redmonds had beforehand made efforts to create a demense
setting. On the 1771 property maps, an previous deerpark is proven in addition to the brand new one
developed by Loftus. Loftus misplaced non time in modernising his newly purchase property. To
set up the general public identification of the manor home and demesne, Henry Loftus of Loftus Corridor
Esq. 1680 was inscribed on the doorway piers at Porters Gate. Though the doorway was
eliminated within the 1930s, the spot the place they stood continues to be regionally known as the piers.
Demense developments within the Hook have been positioned for probably the most half within the townland of Corridor,
later Loftus Corridor. The partitions and gardens constructed by Loftus, together with a big deerpark with
spectacular late seventeenth-century piers, nonetheless survive, together with an property panorama of
common giant fields surrounded by partitions of native limestone. Comparable piers have been constructed at
the gates of the manor home and at Porters Gate. The precedence given to the constructing of a
walled backyard was a response to the issue skilled in rising vegetation on the wind
lashed and salt swept peninsula. The street down the centre of the peninsula was straightened
and enclosed with substantial limestone partitions; using available stone was a
response to the absence of timber on the peninsula. The presence of a labour drive with an
experience in stonework should even have been a
issue. The community of stone partitions which nonetheless exist
was inspired by Loftus with a lease discount on
land enclosed by stone partitions by tenants. Area
maps recorded on an property map in 1771 drawn
by Richard and Charles Frizell introduced an in depth
account of tenancies, with 4 of the household
names nonetheless remaining at present.
In conclusion the constructed setting of the Hook peninsula is steeped in a particular
character fashioned from the various historic influences concentrated right into a well-defined
panorama. This mix creates a definite house, dominated by sea, sky and the
parts, with an distinctive high quality that’s to be appreciated and additional explored by the
architectural neighborhood.
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References
1. Malcomson, The Loftus Household, p. 187.
2. Ibid., p. 210
three. T, Walsh, The historical past of Loftus Corridor in Wex. Hist. Soc. Jn., v (1974-5), pp 32-38
four. D. Rowe and E, Scallon, Homes of Wexford (Whitegate, 2004), no. 671.
5. The folks, 9 July 1913.
6. Sr M OConnor The rosminian sisters in Loftus Corridor in On the Hook (1998), p 14.
7. The civil survey of the County of Wexford, (ed.) R>C> Simington (Dublin 1953), p[. 167.
eight. W.J Smyth, Society and settlement in seventeenth-centruy Eire in Smyth and
Whelan (eds), Frequent floor (Cork, 1988) p. 61
9. Cal. Doc. Ire., I, nos 2811, 2872
10. D. Hague and R. Christie, lighthouses, their structure, historical past and archealogy
11. Hore, Wexford, , p. 407
12. J.S. Sloane, Guide for Lightkeepers (Dublin, 1873).
13. B. Colfer, The Hook Peninsula Rural Landscapes II (Cork, 2002)