European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ireland Irish lore swirls around Peninsula by Deborah Absher staff writer by Hook or by Crook Oliver Cromwell was determined to land in Ireland. His first Choice was to land in Southeast Ireland at Hook head Peninsula which has one of the four oldest lighthouses in the world. His second Choice was the Crook or Bay just East of Hook head. So goes the Irish explanation of the expression by Hook or by Crook which today Means to achieve something by any Means. The Irish claim that the expression originated in the 1640s with Cromwell an English Soldier statesman and devout calvinist who detested the Irish As primitive Savage and superstitious and who waged a ruthless Campaign against them. Cromwell was sailing from the South of England the Story goes and intended to land at Hook head which forms the Eastern Side of Waterford Harbor. If unable to land there he was determined to drop Anchor in one of the Many Bays along the Southern coast. Even if the tale is another of the Many Irish fables it makes a Good Hook for the history behind the Lighthouse which has been standing for More than 700 years. Before that ancient monks had kept a Beacon fire burning since the sixth Century. Craggy rocks surrounding the base of the Lighthouse allow for scrambling around it and getting a close up View. A Slippery Rock path leads around the Lighthouse the Lighthouse at the tip of Hook head Peninsula is one of the oldest in the world. And to Cliffs on the East Side a Good photo spot. Just watch out for the occasional and unexpected blowhole. Whatever the wind direction one Side of the Hook is always Calm. Ato tour the inside of the Lighthouse you must write ahead for a visiting pass. Write to commissioners of Irish lights 16 lower Penbrook st., Dublin 2, Ireland. The Peninsula itself has Many undisturbed Sandy beaches and coves and makes for a pleasant drive or walk. The Road from the town of Duncannon to the Hook has Little traffic making it Ideal for bicycling or hiking to the tip of the Peninsula. Also on the West Side of the Peninsula six Miles from Duncannon on the Road that leads to Hook head is Loftus Hall a splendid eerie mansion built in the 18th Century and a Cost recently a hotel. It too has several stories behind it. The stories Stem from the fact that the mansion has a perpetual Hole in its roof. Every time the Hole is repaired it mysteriously gapes open again. One version of the Story has it that the Devil left the House in a hurry Many years ago. The other Story says that some guests were playing cards when one Man dropped a card. When he Bent Down to pick it up he noticed under the Tablecloth that one of the players had Cloven feet a sign of satan. The poor card player then shot through the roof. Memorial Park overlooks Kennedy ancestral Home after sitting in the car and sitting in pubs you May feel a need to stretch your legs. An Ideal place for taking a walk is the Lush John of Kennedy arboretum in Southeast Ireland. -.-. The 410-acre memorial Park is on the Southern slopes of a prominent Hill that overlooks the Kennedy ancestral Home at Dungan town a mile away. A Road winds to the top of the Hill providing a tremendous View encompassing 271 Miles and six counties on a Clear Day. In the Park itself which was opened in 1968 with financial help from Irish americans paved pathways take varied routes through the 4,500 different plants 200 Forest plots and a Lake with mallards. Each sign posted path has a tree related name such As Willow walk and Maple walk. From May to september Pony and Carriage rides Are available through the Park. All plants Are labelled and Trees from around the world Are Laid out geographically with separate areas allocated for each continent. Several plots Are devoted to research such As testing of Elm Trees where clones resistant to dutch Elm disease Are being studied. A visitors Center constructed of Stone and red Cedar contains a Kennedy memorial Fountain explanatory displays maps and an audiovisual program. A Short walk from it is a cafe and shop with an adjoining picnic area. Deborah Abshers a Deborah abhor travellers tips getting there the John f. Kennedy arboretum is about seven Miles East of Waterford and seven Miles. I " South of new Ross. The Road itself has no number but Green tourist signs Point the Way. There Are Only a few roads in this area so you re bound to find it. Or ask anyone you see along the Way. Just be wary of the distances they give you because an Irish mile can stretch to six Miles. Hours May to August 10 . To 8 . April and september 10 . To 6 30 . October to March 10 is a Bench made of Wood from local Trees provides a tranquil spot to sit. . To 5 . The cafe and shop Are open from May to september and weekends in april. Charges adults 1 Pound about $1.50 child or student 40 Pence about 60 cents senior citizen 70 Pence about $1.05 family 3 pounds about $4.50. Tourist information Telephone 051-88171. Callers outside of Ireland need to use the country code 353 and drop the first 0. Deborah Absher september 2% 1994 stripes Magazine 77