Hooks and Crookes
Hooks and Crookes are shantymen based in Waterford in the southeast of Ireland. Our name comes from the Cromwellian saying, 'of getting there by Hook or by Crooke'. Hook and Crooke are the name of the headlands on either side of Waterford Harbour.
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Maritime Matters
2026
Weekend 19 / 20 September 2026
We had a very pleasant evening in good company and in pleasant surroundings in the National Yacht Club and the Haddington Hotel in Dun Laoghaire in Dublin on Saturday evening where we chatted and sang a few songs at a private function organised by Ollie for an annual reunion of friends he worked and played with in Malawi.
After a pleasant stroll on Dun Laoghaire pier in warm autumn sunshine on Sunday morning we dropped in to Sigginstown Castle in Wexford on our way home to Waterford. We got a guided tour of the recently restored castle dating from the early 1600s and what a job of work that is: really impressive. We were delight to meet and hear the High Cs, a newish shanty group from Rosslare, and of course we sang a few songs ourselves. Another lovely afternoon. Many thanks to Les and Gordon Jones for inviting us and for their hospitality.
Cape Clear, 28–31 August 2026
We spent another very enjoyable weekend on Cape Clear, arriving on Friday off the 5pm ferry from Baltimore and leaving there at 9am on Monday morning. We were in great company all weekend and the weather was mostly obliging when it mattered. The inaugural Cape Clear half marathon (and a shorter 10k run) was held on the island on the Saturday and that was fun too. It was great to sing for that, firstly in the harbour as the runners departed and returned on the run and then later at the prize giving event in the afternoon.
We had three fantastic nights in Ciarán Danny Mikes and Cotters too and it was great to hear all the various contributions. Niamh from Carrick-on-Suir, a grandniece of Liam Clancy, bewitched us on Sunday night with The Dutchman, a song that Liam always sung and well at that.
Unfortunately, a nationwide yellow rain warning meant that the cemetery mass at 3pm had to be moved from Reilig Ciarán to Séipéal Naomh Ciarán, much to the disappointment of Fr Des. We sang at the mass and also performed a few songs afterwards, which was appreciated.
Many thanks again to Mary and Ciarán for inviting us and for their hospitality over the weekend.
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