Ailbhe’s Guidebook of County Louth & the Boyne Valley

Ailbhe
Ailbhe’s Guidebook of County Louth & the Boyne Valley

Music

Traditional Irish music sessions on Tuesdays from 10pm.
Carberry's Pub (Tí Chairbre)
11 N Strand
Traditional Irish music sessions on Tuesdays from 10pm.
Traditional Irish music sessions on Wednesdays from 9pm.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Glyde Inn & Linn Duachaill restaurant
Main Street
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Traditional Irish music sessions on Wednesdays from 9pm.
Traditional Irish music sessions on Sundays from 6pm.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Spirit Store
George's Quay
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Traditional Irish music sessions on Sundays from 6pm.
Droichead Arts Centre Stockwell Street
Stockwell Lane
Concert venue situated in an old church
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carlingford Heritage Centre
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Concert venue situated in an old church

Beaches

Blue Flag – sandy beach – parking - suitable for swimming - public toilets - harbour nearby - RNLI Lifeboat – near village shops – adventure centre - lifeguard (June Sat & Sun 11am-6pm, July & Aug Mon-Sun 11am-6pm)
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Clogherhead Beach
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Flag – sandy beach – parking - suitable for swimming - public toilets - harbour nearby - RNLI Lifeboat – near village shops – adventure centre - lifeguard (June Sat & Sun 11am-6pm, July & Aug Mon-Sun 11am-6pm)
sandy beach – not suitable for swimming - excellent for promenade walks – near village shops
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blackrock
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
sandy beach – not suitable for swimming - excellent for promenade walks – near village shops
Blue Flag – sandy beach – parking - suitable for swimming – public toilets - lifeguard (June, Sat & Sun, 11am-6pm; July & Aug, Mon-Sun, 11am-6pm).
Port Oriel
Blue Flag – sandy beach – parking - suitable for swimming – public toilets - lifeguard (June, Sat & Sun, 11am-6pm; July & Aug, Mon-Sun, 11am-6pm).
sandy beach - ship-wreck- great for long walks - village shops nearby - car-parking
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Termonfeckin Beach
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
sandy beach - ship-wreck- great for long walks - village shops nearby - car-parking

Golf

13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Greenore Golf Club
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
County Louth Golf Club
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona

Sightseeing

There once was a man named Conn O'Hanlon. On his deathbed he told his sons, Conn and Lorcan, that they could have all his land. Conn promised his father that he would take Lorcan to a height and tell him that as far as the eye could see was his. Conn did this but he tricked Lorcan and brought him to a hollow part of the mountain. Lorcan had a boat and used this to do trading with other countries. During a trip to Spain, Lorcan saved a Spanish lady and her daughter on their yacht. The Spanish woman held a banquet in honor of Lorcan. Cauthleen and Lorcan fell in love, but Cauthleens father wasn't happy because she was engaged to a nobleman. Cauthleen agreed with Lorcan to go to Ireland with him. The couple met in secret and went back to Ireland. When they got to Omeath, Lorcan took Cauthleen to the mountain and showed her the land he owned. Cauthleen was so shocked that she fell and suffered a heart-attack. Lorcan loved her so much that he jumped into Aennagh bog and killed himself. The local people looked for the couple and found Cauthleen, they made a grave and each person put a stone on it. They didn’t find Lorcan dead or alive. Here she sleeps today, in the hollow of her disappointment and unfilled promises, known as the Long Woman's Grave, and this can still be seen in the mountains overlooking Omeath today.
Long Womans Grave
There once was a man named Conn O'Hanlon. On his deathbed he told his sons, Conn and Lorcan, that they could have all his land. Conn promised his father that he would take Lorcan to a height and tell him that as far as the eye could see was his. Conn did this but he tricked Lorcan and brought him to a hollow part of the mountain. Lorcan had a boat and used this to do trading with other countries. During a trip to Spain, Lorcan saved a Spanish lady and her daughter on their yacht. The Spanish woman held a banquet in honor of Lorcan. Cauthleen and Lorcan fell in love, but Cauthleens father wasn't happy because she was engaged to a nobleman. Cauthleen agreed with Lorcan to go to Ireland with him. The couple met in secret and went back to Ireland. When they got to Omeath, Lorcan took Cauthleen to the mountain and showed her the land he owned. Cauthleen was so shocked that she fell and suffered a heart-attack. Lorcan loved her so much that he jumped into Aennagh bog and killed himself. The local people looked for the couple and found Cauthleen, they made a grave and each person put a stone on it. They didn’t find Lorcan dead or alive. Here she sleeps today, in the hollow of her disappointment and unfilled promises, known as the Long Woman's Grave, and this can still be seen in the mountains overlooking Omeath today.
The Magic Hill is where a slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope due to the layout of the surrounding land, creating the optical illusion that water flows uphill or that a car left out of gear will roll uphill. Give it a go!
Magic Hill Jenkinstown
The Magic Hill is where a slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope due to the layout of the surrounding land, creating the optical illusion that water flows uphill or that a car left out of gear will roll uphill. Give it a go!
The dolmen lies within the grounds of the Ballymascanlan Hotel. Proleek Portal Tomb is about 3m high and has a huge capstone weighing approximately 35 tons. Legend says that a wish will be granted to anyone who can throw a pebble on its capstone so that it stays there. The two front portal stones are 2m high. Known as the Giant’s Load, it is believed that it was carried to Ireland by a Scottish giant named Parrah Boug McShagean (who is said to be buried nearby). There is also a Bronze Age wedge tomb nearby.
Proleek Dolmen
The dolmen lies within the grounds of the Ballymascanlan Hotel. Proleek Portal Tomb is about 3m high and has a huge capstone weighing approximately 35 tons. Legend says that a wish will be granted to anyone who can throw a pebble on its capstone so that it stays there. The two front portal stones are 2m high. Known as the Giant’s Load, it is believed that it was carried to Ireland by a Scottish giant named Parrah Boug McShagean (who is said to be buried nearby). There is also a Bronze Age wedge tomb nearby.
Great walks around the Cooley Mountains.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ravensdale Forest Recreation Area
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great walks around the Cooley Mountains.
Lovely café, children's playground and fantastic hikes and trails around the mountains.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Slieve Gullion Forest Park
89 Drumintee Rd
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lovely café, children's playground and fantastic hikes and trails around the mountains.
Long-established very popular adventure centre. They cater for almost every type of outdoor adventure activity imaginable - orienteering, water-sports, hiking, obstacle courses. They especially accomodate a lot of team-bonding sessions, ice-breakers, hens & stags groups etc.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carlingford Adventure Centre
Tholsel Street
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Long-established very popular adventure centre. They cater for almost every type of outdoor adventure activity imaginable - orienteering, water-sports, hiking, obstacle courses. They especially accomodate a lot of team-bonding sessions, ice-breakers, hens & stags groups etc.
Excellent for walking and cycling and brilliant for families. Beautiful views of Carlingford Lough.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carlingford Lough Greenway
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Excellent for walking and cycling and brilliant for families. Beautiful views of Carlingford Lough.
The mythological hero Cúchulainn was fatally wounded after fighting off Queen Maeve's forces single-handedly during the Cattle-raid of Cooley saga (The Táin). According to legend, Cúchulainn tied himself to this standing stone so that he could stay upright and face the opposing army. Even after his death, Cúchulainn's enemies would not approach the stone for fear he was still alive. It was not until Morrigan (the Celtic goddess of War and Death) appeared in the form of a raven and landed on his shoulder that they were sure he was dead. A bronze statue of this scene by Oliver Sheppard stands in the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, Dublin.
Clochafarmore Standing Stone (Chúchalainn's Stone)
The mythological hero Cúchulainn was fatally wounded after fighting off Queen Maeve's forces single-handedly during the Cattle-raid of Cooley saga (The Táin). According to legend, Cúchulainn tied himself to this standing stone so that he could stay upright and face the opposing army. Even after his death, Cúchulainn's enemies would not approach the stone for fear he was still alive. It was not until Morrigan (the Celtic goddess of War and Death) appeared in the form of a raven and landed on his shoulder that they were sure he was dead. A bronze statue of this scene by Oliver Sheppard stands in the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, Dublin.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dundalk Stadium
Racecourse Road
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Details the history of Louth from pre-historic times to modern day.
County Museum Dundalk
8 Jocelyn St
Details the history of Louth from pre-historic times to modern day.
It is believed Diomoc, a disciple of St. Patrick and St. Benen, founded this church. By c.1270 it was in the ownership of the Knights Templars of Kilsaran. They dedicated the church to St. Catherine. The Knights Templars held it until the suppression of their order in 1314. It then passed to the Knights Hospitallers until they were suppressed by Henry VIII in 1540. The church is more famously known as the 'Jumping Church'. The west gable wall of the church has jumped inward to a few feet from its foundations. This is believed to have happened in February 1715 during a storm. However, legend says the enchanting wall of the church moved in 1715 to exclude the grave of an excommunicated man outside the building.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jumping Church
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
It is believed Diomoc, a disciple of St. Patrick and St. Benen, founded this church. By c.1270 it was in the ownership of the Knights Templars of Kilsaran. They dedicated the church to St. Catherine. The Knights Templars held it until the suppression of their order in 1314. It then passed to the Knights Hospitallers until they were suppressed by Henry VIII in 1540. The church is more famously known as the 'Jumping Church'. The west gable wall of the church has jumped inward to a few feet from its foundations. This is believed to have happened in February 1715 during a storm. However, legend says the enchanting wall of the church moved in 1715 to exclude the grave of an excommunicated man outside the building.
Get to walk alpacas across the (dry) bog of Ardee and feed them afterwards.
Long Acre Alpacas
Get to walk alpacas across the (dry) bog of Ardee and feed them afterwards.
Bring a picnic and some bread to feed the ducks. Also a playground & coffee shop on-site. Brilliant for families.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stephenstown Pond Nature Park
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bring a picnic and some bread to feed the ducks. Also a playground & coffee shop on-site. Brilliant for families.
Fantastic for families.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Guerra Militar Irlandés
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fantastic for families.
Very popular gin distillery experience. Advance booking highly recommended.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Listoke Distillery & Gin School
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very popular gin distillery experience. Advance booking highly recommended.
Old Cistercian Abbey ruins. No booking necesary. Check for details http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/oldmellifontabbey/
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mellifont Abbey
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Cistercian Abbey ruins. No booking necesary. Check for details http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/oldmellifontabbey/
Monasterboice was founded in the 5th century by St. Buite, one of St. Patrick's original followers. Today the impressive set of ruins contains a graveyard, two churches, a sundial and a round tower. The site is best known for its collection of High Crosses. There are three fine examples most notably the South Cross (or Cross of Muiredach) and the West Cross (or Tall Cross). These crosses depict stories from the Old and New Testament that would have been used to educate early Christians.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monasterboice High Crosses
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monasterboice was founded in the 5th century by St. Buite, one of St. Patrick's original followers. Today the impressive set of ruins contains a graveyard, two churches, a sundial and a round tower. The site is best known for its collection of High Crosses. There are three fine examples most notably the South Cross (or Cross of Muiredach) and the West Cross (or Tall Cross). These crosses depict stories from the Old and New Testament that would have been used to educate early Christians.
Lovely sea-side village. Incredible views over Carlingford Lough towards the Cooley Mountains. Take a walk down to the harbour.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Annagassan
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lovely sea-side village. Incredible views over Carlingford Lough towards the Cooley Mountains. Take a walk down to the harbour.
The castle gardens are open to the public in May and October.
Barmeath Castle
The castle gardens are open to the public in May and October.
Great for outdoor watersports including canoeing, kayaking, sup-boarding etc.
Celtic Adventures
Strand Street
Great for outdoor watersports including canoeing, kayaking, sup-boarding etc.
Lovely seaside village worth taking a drive through. The harbour is wonderful and there's a fish & chip shop called the Fisherman's Catch nearby.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Clogherhead
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lovely seaside village worth taking a drive through. The harbour is wonderful and there's a fish & chip shop called the Fisherman's Catch nearby.
More info available here: http://battleoftheboyne.ie/
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
More info available here: http://battleoftheboyne.ie/
Brilliant for families.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Funtasia Drogheda
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Brilliant for families.
A must-visit while in Drogheda. It has exhibitions on town's guild and trade banners, industry, folk kitchen, archaeology, geology, post office & Drogheda Rowing Club. Also includes access to the martello tower.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Drogheda Museum Millmount
Millmount
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A must-visit while in Drogheda. It has exhibitions on town's guild and trade banners, industry, folk kitchen, archaeology, geology, post office & Drogheda Rowing Club. Also includes access to the martello tower.
Saint Laurence's Gate is a barbican which was built in the 13th century as part of the walled fortifications of the medieval town of Drogheda in Ireland.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
St. Laurence Gate
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Saint Laurence's Gate is a barbican which was built in the 13th century as part of the walled fortifications of the medieval town of Drogheda in Ireland.
Is a series of burial tombs situated on top of a steep hill. Take a trip to to Loughcrew Gardens and Nelly's Café at the Loughcrew Megalithic Centre afterwards.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Loughcrew Cairns
Loughcrew Cairns
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Is a series of burial tombs situated on top of a steep hill. Take a trip to to Loughcrew Gardens and Nelly's Café at the Loughcrew Megalithic Centre afterwards.
Visit for more information http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/brunaboinnevisitorcentre/
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centro de Visitantes de Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange y Knowth
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Visit for more information http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/brunaboinnevisitorcentre/
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Slane Distillery
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
WhiteRiver Karting
Exit 12 M1
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona

Food scene

One of the best restaurants in north-Louth. Old fashioned Irish kick-knacks & items cover every surface of the ceiling and walls. Has a lot of character and outdoor seating. Gets very busy so book in advance at the weekends.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fitzpatrick's Bar & Restaurant
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
One of the best restaurants in north-Louth. Old fashioned Irish kick-knacks & items cover every surface of the ceiling and walls. Has a lot of character and outdoor seating. Gets very busy so book in advance at the weekends.
The best place for pub grub and live music in Carlingford especially at the weekends. Always a buzzing place.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
PJ O Hare's Carlingford
Tholsel Street
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The best place for pub grub and live music in Carlingford especially at the weekends. Always a buzzing place.
Lovely cafe after a long walk on the beach.
Belles Tea Room & Patisserie
20 Main St
Lovely cafe after a long walk on the beach.
Definitely in my Top 10 of places to eat in Louth. Long-established family run business. Great food and great pints. Their specialty is either steak or scampi. Booking highly recommended at the weekends.
Monasterboice Inn (Donegan's)
Drogheda Rd
Definitely in my Top 10 of places to eat in Louth. Long-established family run business. Great food and great pints. Their specialty is either steak or scampi. Booking highly recommended at the weekends.
Lovely old-fashioned Irish saloon-style pub & lounge. Great pints of Guinness and views out the back. They also do great food.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Glyde Inn & Linn Duachaill restaurant
Main Street
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lovely old-fashioned Irish saloon-style pub & lounge. Great pints of Guinness and views out the back. They also do great food.
Really nice Italian restaurant nearby.
Carlitos Restaurant
Main Street
Really nice Italian restaurant nearby.
Excellent Italian restaurant only a 10 min drive away. Book a table in advance especially on the weekends.
Pizzeria
Main Street
Excellent Italian restaurant only a 10 min drive away. Book a table in advance especially on the weekends.
Gorgeous café & garden centre.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Forge Field Farm Shop
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gorgeous café & garden centre.
Great café & gardens open to the public all year around.
Listoke House
Ballymakenny Road
Great café & gardens open to the public all year around.
Great café in Drogheda that backs onto the Highlanes Gallery. The town Mace is on display inside.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Relish Cafe & Foodhall
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great café in Drogheda that backs onto the Highlanes Gallery. The town Mace is on display inside.
Small but its my favorite place to have breakfast or a light snack in Drogheda. Try and get a window seat. They take cash only.
The Copper Kettle
1 Peter St
Small but its my favorite place to have breakfast or a light snack in Drogheda. Try and get a window seat. They take cash only.
Very popular place to eat in Drogheda. Booking in advance is recommended.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
D'Vine Bistro & Tapas Bar
Dyer Street
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very popular place to eat in Drogheda. Booking in advance is recommended.
Probably my favourite restaurant in Drogheda. Great service and great food. Book a table in advance as its a very busy spot.
Antica Toscana
32/33 Shop St
Probably my favourite restaurant in Drogheda. Great service and great food. Book a table in advance as its a very busy spot.
The interior in amazing and the food, while it is expensive, is very good.
Scholars Townhouse Hotel
King Street
The interior in amazing and the food, while it is expensive, is very good.
One of the most popular restaurants in Drogheda and has featured on many national best places to eat lists. Definitely book in advance.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eastern Seaboard
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
One of the most popular restaurants in Drogheda and has featured on many national best places to eat lists. Definitely book in advance.

Bars & Pubs

Local country pub 2 min drive away.
Darbys Pub
Local country pub 2 min drive away.
My favourite pub in Drogheda. Old-timey with acoustic folk music at the weekend.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Clarkes Bar
19 Peter St
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
My favourite pub in Drogheda. Old-timey with acoustic folk music at the weekend.
Particularly good cocktails.
Bitter and Twisted
79 West St
Particularly good cocktails.
Gin-tastic!
Weavers Bar & Venue
83 West St
Gin-tastic!
Very popular for food and drinks
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Black Bull Inn
Dublin Road
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very popular for food and drinks
Lovely pub only a 10 min drive away.
Shearmans Bar
Main Street
Lovely pub only a 10 min drive away.

Shopping

12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marshes Shopping Centre station
River Lane
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Longwalk Shopping Centre
Longwalk Road
Dundalk Retail Park
Inner Relief Road
Scotch Hall
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Laurence Shopping Centre
Saint Laurence Street
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona