Co. Louth

Strategically located in the middle of the main East Coast corridor between Dublin and Belfast, Louth is enjoying the opportunities provided by the continuing development of the M1 as it extends west of Dundalk to provide a clear link northwards. To the south, the motorway crosses to Meath over the River Boyne near Drogheda on a handsome modern structure which is the largest cable-stayed bridge of its type in Ireland, a much admired piece of work designed by Joe O’Donovan.  

With traffic pressure removed from its other roads, Louth finds itself anew. And though it may be Ireland’s smallest county at only 317 square miles (it’s just an eighth the size of Cork, the largest) Louth still seems to be two or even three counties in one. 

Much of it is fine farmland, at its best in the area west of the extensive wildfowl paradise of Dundalk Bay, on whose shores we find the attractive village of Blackrock, one of Ireland’s better kept secrets. But as well there are the distinctive uplands in the southwest, whose name of Oriel recalls an ancient princedom which is also commemorated in Port Oriel, Louth’s main fishing port at Clogherhead. And in the north of the county, the Cooley Mountains sweep upwards in a style which well matches their better-known neighbours, the Mountains of Mourne on the other side of the handsome inlet of Carlingford Lough.

Its name might suggest that this is a genuine fjord as defined by geologists, but it isn’t, though the Vikings named it so. However, its beauty is such that there’s more than enough to be going along with, and on its Louth shore the ancient little port of Carlingford town used to be a best-kept secret. It was a quiet little place imbued with history, but today it is happily prospering both as a recreational harbour for the Dundalk and Newry area, and as a bustling visitor attraction in its own right.

The county’s three main townships of Ardee, Dundalk and Drogheda each have their own distinctive style, and all three have been coming vibrantly to life in recent years. The historic borough of Drogheda is the main commercial port, its river valley crossed by the Boyne Viaduct of 1855 vintage, such a remarkable piece of engineering work that it is reckoned one of the seven wonders of Ireland, while Dundalk - the county town - is home to the Louth Museum, whose exhibits include the riding jacket worn by William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.



Local Attractions and Information

Ardee (Tallanstown)   Knockabbey Castle & Gardens +353 (0)42 9374690

Carlingford                 Carlingford Adventure Centre +353 (0)42 9373100 

Carlingford                            Carlingford Sea School +353 (0)42 9373879

Carlingford                                         Heritage Trust +353 (0)42 9373888

Carlingford                               Tourism Information +353 (0)42 9373033

Castlebellingham              Farm Market                       +353 (0)404 43885  

Drogheda                       Beaulieu House and garden +353 (0)41 9838557

Drogheda                              Droichead Arts Centre  +353 (0)41 9833946

Drogheda                                   Millmount Museum +353 (0)41 9833097

Drogheda (Tullyallen)               Old Mellifont Abbey +353 (0)41 9826459

Drogheda                                 Tourism Information +353 (0)41 9837070

Dundalk                                 Louth County Museum +353 (0)42 9327056

Dundalk                                   Tourism Information +353 (0)42 9335484 

Termonfeckin  Irish Countrywomens Assoc. College  +353 (0)41 9822119

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