County Louth
 Louth, the smallest county in Ireland, covers
an area of only 317 square miles. It
runs northwards from the River Boyne to Carlingford
Lough, consisting mainly of fertile undulating
country with a coastline of wide sandy bays
and occasional rocky headlands. In the North,
however, between Dundalk Bay and Carlingford
Lough, is the mountainous Cooley Peninsula.
The territory
now known as County Louth figures prominently
in the epic tales of ancient Ireland. It was
also the scene of important events, and many
other chapters of Ireland's history are illustrated
by the county's numerous relics of the past.
Louth has great industrial towns like Drogheda and Dundalk,
as well as sleepy fishing villages. Carlingford Lough is part
of a drowned river valley at the base of the Cooley Mountains.
The fishing village of Carlingford is the Oyster capital of
the country and every August the oyster festival draws huge
crowds into the pretty village of white washed cottages and
ancient clustered buildings.
Monasterboice, one of the most famous religious sites
in the country, was built in the 5th century
a few miles north of Drogheda in a lovely
secluded setting. With 2 churches, a round
tower and 2 High Crosses the treasure is
the high Cross of Muiredach. Considered the
finest in the country, it is the pinnacle
of achievement with sculpted biblical scenes
all over the cross, and still as fresh today.
Drogheda at the southern most point of the
county is built on the River Boyne and by
the 14th century was the biggest town in
Ireland. Exporting and Importing more goods
than any other town. However, it never recovered
from a vicious attack by Oliver Cromwell
in 1649 and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690
where the catholic king of England, James
II, was defeated by William of Orange and
heralding the fate of the country for the
next 300 years.
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Main Tourist Attractions Include :
Monasterboice
Located at Collon, Monasterboice is known for its remains
of the monastic settlement founded by Saint Buite
in the fifth century. The remains consist of an old
graveyard, two churches, three sculptured crosses,
two early grave slabs and a sundial.
The South church is the older of the two and it still has
the remains of the chancel arch. The smaller church is situated
beside the Round Tower and has no trace of a chancel. The
Round Tower is about 100ft high.
County
Museum
Located at Jocelyn Street,
Dundalk, in a beautifully restored late 18th century
warehouse, the County Museum hosts a wide variety
of events and activities.
The County Museum tells the story of Louth's archaeological,
social, natural and industrial heritage. The displays present
the origins and evolution of the County from the Mesolithic
period to the present day.
Saint
Peter's Church
Located at West Street, Drogheda,
Saint Peter's Church is one of the finest Gothic
Revival churches in Ireland. The interior has been
extensively restored in recent years. The church
was built as a memorial to Oliver Plunkett, a 17th
century Archbishop of Armagh who was martyred at
Tyburn in 1691.
Millmount
Museum
Located in Drogheda in the
Officer's Quarters of a former military barracks
built in 1808, the museum has been described as one
of the finest town museums in Ireland.
The Museum houses a wide variety of artifacts of local and
national importance. Popular exhibits include an authentic
18th century Irish Folk Kitchen, Dairy and Laundry, and the
Irish History Room detailing the major events in Ireland's
history.
Proleek
Dolmen
Located in the grounds of
Ballymascanlon Hotel, this is a fine example of a
Portal Dolmen. The capstone which weighs about 40
tons is supported by three legs. Legend has it that
a wish will be granted to those who can throw a pebble
on to the top of the capstone so that it stays there.
There is a wedge tomb in the same field.
Holy
Trinity Heritage Centre
Located at Old Quay Lane,
Carlingford, in a restored medieval church, the Holy
Trinity Centre houses exhibits which detail the development
of the town from its Norman origins through the use
of Video presentations. From the centre the street
and monuments of this ancient place can be explored.
Heritage Sites
Old
Mellifont Abbey - Tullyallen, Drogheda
The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in
1142 by St. Malachy of Armagh, its most unusual feature
is the octagonal Lavabo c.1200. The Visitor Centre
houses an interesting exhibition on the work of masons
in the Middle Ages with fine examples of their craft
on display.
