Welcome to Louth!

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.

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Dundalk

Information Louth Ireland

    The weather on the east coast, sheltered by Britain across the Irish sea, is usually calmer than the west coast, with the vast Atlantic battering the shores. However, while the sunny southeast beaches of Wexford and Waterford have a reputation as holiday resorts, the fishing boats further up the coast in Louth and beyond, in Northern Ireland, require reinforced storm decks.

   That being said, there is some wonderful scenery in Louth, with the coastline and areas further inland pockmarked with villages and towns. A drive from Drogheda to Dundalk or vice versa can take half an hour on the well maintained main road, but you might find a better reward in slipping off the motorway to take in the history and geography of the area.

   Northwest of Drogheda is Monasterboice, a small area replete with early Christian architecture. In 968, Monasterboice was occupied by marauding Norsemen, driven out by a force from Ireland’s ancient capital of Tara. A 33 metre high tower was then built – huge when compared to other surviving architecture of the period. The interior of the tower was ruined by fire along with many of the possessions of the clergy who lived in Monasterboice, and the area itself went into something of a decline later from which it never recovered, as Mellifont Abbey developed, stealing much of its thunder.

   Muiredach’s Cross is the best example of a high cross in Ireland. The South Church and the North Church are also worthy of a visit. Situated nearby too are gravestone slabs, and three more crosses.

   Other places of historical interest include Millmount Museum outside Drogheda – where you can also see one of the many Martello towers built around the Irish coast to help prevent a possible Napoleonic invasion – and St Peter’s Church on West Street in the town itself, featuring paraphernalia and relics associated with St Oliver Plunkett.

Attractions Louth Ireland

Louth Tourist Attractions

County Museum - Dundalk

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.
Holy Trinity Heritage Centre - Carlingford

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.
Millmount Museum - Droghedra

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.
Monasterboice - Collon

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.
Proleek Dolmen - Proleek

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.
Saint Peter's Church - Droghedra

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.

Heritage Sites

Old Mellifont Abbey - Droghedra

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.