Louth

Situated between Belfast and Dublin, Co. Louth offers visitors a wealth of attractions and activities, varied landscape and unspoiled scenery. The Cooley Penninsula with its rugged heather-clad mountains, sweeps down to Carlingford Lough in the North, while the Boyne Valley and ancient town of Drogheda are situated in the South. This with a number of important monuments and seaside resorts makes Louth a perfect holiday location.

Ardee
Ardee which is the capital town of the rich tillage countryside of mid-Louth takes its name from the Irish Ard Fhirdia, the ford on the river Dee where the mythical hero in Irish folklore Cuchulainn fought and killed his friend Ferdia in the course of the Tain Bo Cuailgne.

Carlingford
Carlingford is located on the shores of Carlingford Lough, directly across from Co. Down. The preservation of its medieval character has ensured it to be among Irelands Heritage Towns. Its many archetectural features include the Thosel, the Mint, Taaffes Castle and the Dominican Friary. The combination of a medieval past with modern conveniences makes Carlingford an irresistible place to visit.

Clogherhead
Situated along the coast north of Drogheda, Clogherhead is an important fishing village with Port Oriel a harbour and pier constructed in 1885. Southwards from the harbour it is possible to walk along the rocky cliffs of the headland.

Drogheda
Modern Drogheda is a busy, bustling town situated astride the River Boyne. Many groups of settlers, pre-historic, Celtic, Vikings and Norman had a hand in Drogheda's shaping and each left a distinctive mark in the locality. The street plan has not significantly altered since the 13th century. Following its streetscape therefore visitors will be treading age-old ways, in the wake of the Irish chieftains, English Kings, Anglo-Irish earls and eminent church dignitaries, who have walked these same streets, on their busy comings and goings down the centuries.

Dundalk
Dundalk has been an urban centre since the late twelfth century when it was granted a charter by the Norman knight Bertram de Verdon. Having survived the warfare of the 16th and 17th centuries the town emerged into a modern era in 1740's and 50's by means of a re-development plan initiated by the then town landlord James Hamilton. This was the beginning of Dundalk as an industrial town, the seventh largest in the Republic of Ireland.

Attractions

Monasterboice
Site of Ancient Monastery founded by Saint Buite, who died in 521. Famous for its high crosses and round tower. The splendid Muiredeach's Cross is the most richly decorated of its kind in Ireland.

County Museum, Dundalk
Splendid museum housed in a restored 18th century warehouse, with four floors of exhibition space detailing the natural and industrial history of County Louth.

Millmount Museum, Drogheda
Situated below the famous Martello Tower and located in a former Officer's Mess built in 1808, the museum houses a unique collection of local artefacts.

Holy Trinity Heritage Centre, Carlingford
Housed in a beautifully restored medieval Church, the exhibits detail the development of Carlingford town from its Norman origins.

Beaulieu House & Garden, Beaulieu, Drogheda
Situated 2 miles east of Drogheda on the road to Baltray, this is a statley home of considerable importance. Originally a Jacobean manor house constructed in 1628, the elegant garden is open to the public at set times during the year.

Shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett, St. Peter' Church, Drogheda
The national Shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett is in this imposing church. It contains the presered head of the Saint who was martyred at Tyburn in England for his faith in 1681.

The Tain Holiday Village, Omeath
Situated alongshore Carlingford Lough with 40,000 square feet of indoor leisure facilities for all age groups. Swimming pool, indoor adventure playgrounds, sports hall, orienteering/hill walking and outdoor water sports.

Stephenstown Pond & Carp Fishery, Knockbridge
Situated 5 miles southwest of Dundalk, the pond and fishery consists of 5 acres of natural woodland, willow copse, grassland, water meadow and pond habitats and is teeming with bird and animal wildlife.

Proleek Dolmen, Ballymascanlon, Dundalk
Situated in the grounds of the Ballymascanlon Hotel, off the N!, outside Dundalk, this enormous Dolmen, with 40 ton capstown, dates from the Neolithic period.

Mellifont Abbey
The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St. Malachy of Armagh. Its most unusual feature is its octogonal lavatp c 1200. A visitor centre houses an interesting exhibition on the work of masons in the middle ages with fine examples of their craft on display.

Activities

Adventure Centres
This area offers a wide selection of activity centres to the adventurous.

Angling
This area is a perfect location for anyone interested in angling with both sea and game fishing available.

Golfing
The golfer is spoiled in Co. Louth with a number of top class 18 hole and 9 hole link and parkland courses to chose from.

Walking
Why not take a 40km waymarked walk through the rugged and beautiful Cooley mountains, or a shorter walk in the forest parks at Ravensdale and Carlingford.