County Louth
Louth is the smallest county in Ireland located on the northeast coast, on the border with Northern Ireland. It runs northwards of the River Boyne to Calingford Lough, consisting mainly of fertile undulating landscape with a coastline of wide sandy bays and occasional rocky headlands. The northern part, between Dundalk Bay and Calingford Lough, is the mountainous Cooley Peninsula. The biggest towns are Drogheda and Dundalk. County Louth is also strongly associated with irish myths, legends and history. There are many interesting historic sites as Monasterboice consisting ones of finest High Crosses in Ireland, Mellifont Abbey which was first irish cistercian monastery dating from 12th century, ruins of Norman castle La Roche or Callingford Castle and Mint.
Interesting places in county Louth
Mellifont Abbey
East Ireland | County Louth
Mellifont Abbey is located about 10km east of Drogheda, in County Louth. It was the first Cistercian foundation in Ireland, established in 1142 by Saint Malachy of Armagh, with the help of a handful of monks sent by Saint Bernard from Clairvaux in France. The name Mellifont comes from the Latin "Font Mellis", which means "Fountain of honey". The abbey church... more info and photos
Proleek Wedge Tomb
East Ireland | County Louth
Proleek Wedge Tomb is located about 4km northeast of Dundalk (Co Louth), on a golf course in the grounds of Ballymascanlon Hotel. This megalithic monument was built in Bronze Age period and is locally known as Giant's Grave. Local folklore connects it with nearby Proleek Dolmen and according to this legend the Giant's Grave is a burial place of Scottish gian... more info and photos
Proleek Dolmen
East Ireland | County Louth
Proleek Dolmen is located about 4km northeast of Dundalk (Co Louth), on a golf course in the grounds of Ballymascanlon Hotel. This megalithic monument was built in early Neolithic period, around 3000 BC. It consists of two massive, over 2m high portal stones and back stone, which support hudge capstone, weighing approximately 40 tons. Back stone has concret... more info and photos
Roche Castle
East Ireland | County Louth
Roche Castle is Norman stronghold located about 10 km northwest of Dundalk, in County Louth. Castleroche, how is also called, consists of a roughly triangular in circuit of walls (determined by the shape of the rock it stands on), with two masive D-shaped towers with gateway between them and two storey great hall beside. It was built in 1236 by Lady Rohesia ... more info and photos
Monasterboice
East Ireland | County Louth
Monasterboice is a ruin of early Christian settlement located 10km northwest of Drogheda (just of M1 motorway). The remains of two churches dates from late medieval period but first monastery was founded here in 6th century by Saint Buithe. There is also 28m high, roofless round towrer, which was burnt in 1097. The monastery functioned until 1122, there are ... more info and photos