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The Guide
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 Map of Louth
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Quick Guide
 Annagassan - eateries, pubs
Ardee - small market town on the River Dee named Atha Fhir Diadh after
the ford where the legendary Ulster warrior Cuchullainn was forced
to fight and kill his half brother Ferdia while defending Ulster
from Connaught during the Celtic story The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Ardee was King James II base in 1689 before the Battle of the
Boyne. The 13th century Ardee Castle was an important English
fort. Hatches Castle on the same street is the private residence
of the Hatches. The town also has accommodation, eateries and
the jumping church of Kildemock is nearby.
Blackrock - pubs, eateries, mud flat beach
Ardpatrick - former home of the Catholic martyr Oliver Plunkett Ardpatrick
House
Carlingford - see attractions section
Castlebellingham - the castle of Thomas Bellingham who acted as a guide to William
of Orange when he came to Ireland to fight James II for the English
throne in 1689, was burnt by James and the stately home that replaced
it is now a hotel
Clogherhead - seaside resort and fishing port with a long beach, coastal
walks and Red Man's sea cave where a red fungus is said to have
grown on the blood of people who were slaughtered by Cromwell's
forces after they were found hiding in the cave. The town also
has accommodation and pubs.
Drogheda - town on the busy main Belfast to Dublin road and the River
Boyne, founded by the Vikings in 911AD who called it Droichead
Atha, the bridge of the Ford. The town was later a walled Norman
stronghold. Attractions include the 18th century Saint Peter's
Catholic gothic church which has the embalmed head of the Catholic
martyr Saint Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate
of all Ireland who was executed by the English in 1681 after being
accused of involvement in the fabricated Popish Plot, on show.
Saint Peter's Church of Ireland is built on the site of a church
of Ireland church burnt by Cromwell's forces when 100 Catholics
hid in its steeple during the sacking of the town in 1649 when
Cromwell's Army killed around 3,000 of the town's inhabitants
after a short siege. The 13th Saint Laurence and Butter Gates
are all that survive of the old city walls. Millmount Martello
tower on the site of a former Norman motte and bailey on Millmount
mound was incorporated into an 18th century English Army barracks
and is now a tourist centre with craft shops, a very good local
history museum and café (Tel: 041 33097 Entry IR1.50). Drogheda
also has accommodation, eateries, bars, two nightclubs, a cinema
and bikes for hire. (Drogheda tourist office in the Bus Eirean
station at 041 37070).
Dundalk - county town of Louth surrounded by industrial estates on the
main road between Belfast and Dublin near the Northern Ireland
border. Attractions include Louth County Museum which has displays
on local industries (Tel: 042 27056. Entry IR£2), Great Northern
Harp Brewery tours (By arrangement Tel 042 34793), St Nicholas's
Church, Saint Patrick's Cathedral which has impressive mosaics,
the Maid of Eireann stone erected in memory of the United Irishmen
killed in the 1798 rebellion against the English. Dundalk also
has accommodation, eateries, bars, a cinema and discos. (Dundalk
tourist office Tel: 042 35484)
Faughart - church and holy well on the site of a monastery founded by
Saint Brigid in the 6th century, which is still a focus for devotions
on Saint Brigid's day February 1. The brother of Robert the Bruce,
King of Scotland, Edward Bruce who was given a kingship by Irish
chiefs after coming to Ireland hoping to distract the English
from their campaign against his brother in Scotland, is also buried
in the graveyard.
Louth Village - Saint Mochta's church, ruined 15th century Louth Dominican
friary church
Omeath - small town on the Cooley Peninsula, passenger ferry to Warrenpoint
in County Down (also takes bikes), accommodation, pubs
Termonfeckin - 10th century high cross, 15the century towerhouse castle with
a corbelled roof, accommodation, eateries
Quick guide to Louth
Inis recommends - Monasterboice Monastic Site
Tourist Attractions
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