County Louth

Ireland's smallest county holds an outsized share of the story: high crosses at Monasterboice, the Boyne Valley at its south and the Cooley Peninsula for mountains and the lough. Dublin and Belfast are both an easy drive.

County Louth facts

• Province: Leinster
• County town: Dundalk
• Setting: East coast
• Touring region: Ireland's Ancient East
• Best for: history, coast, family, scenic drives
• Golf: County Louth at Baltray (€365, club-published). Seapoint is closed for redevelopment from January 2027 to spring 2028. Our golf guide
• Places in the planner: 6

Ireland's smallest county holds an outsized share of the island's history. The Boyne Valley reaches into its south around Drogheda, Monasterboice preserves some of Ireland's finest high crosses, and Mellifont was the country's first Cistercian abbey.

The Cooley Peninsula in the north is Louth's scenic heart, a mountainous finger of land between Carlingford Lough and Dundalk Bay, linked to the Táin Bó Cúailnge, Ireland's great epic. Carlingford itself, a medieval coastal town with castles and oyster fame, is the county's best-known destination, while Dundalk serves as its working county town. Its position on the Dublin–Belfast corridor makes Louth an easy add-on, but it deserves more than a pass-through: a night in Carlingford, with dinner overlooking the lough and a walk on Slieve Foy the next morning, is a trip highlight in itself.

Top sights in Louth

Monasterboice

An early Christian site with a round tower and Muiredach's Cross, among Ireland's finest high crosses.

Mellifont Abbey

Ruins of Ireland's first Cistercian abbey, founded in the 12th century.

Carlingford

A medieval coastal town on Carlingford Lough, with castles, lanes and mountain views.

Cooley Peninsula

A scenic peninsula of hills and coast roads beneath Slieve Foy.

Drogheda and St Peter's Church

A historic Boyne town known for its churches, walls and riverside setting.

Towns & cities in Louth

Dundalk

A working border town doing the business of the north-east corridor. Dundalk is the county town of County Louth, near the border with Northern Ireland.

Drogheda

The port came first here, and the town still faces the river that made it. Drogheda stands on the River Boyne in County Louth.

Carlingford

Oysters and medieval streets under Slieve Foy: the town keeps its castles and its harbour in one small, walkable core. Carlingford stands on Carlingford Lough in County Louth.

Ardee

Market town in mid-Louth with castle and church heritage.

Best time to visit

Spring to autumn is best for Cooley walks and Carlingford's harbour. The Boyne Valley sites reward a visit in any season.

Getting there

Louth sits on the main Dublin–Belfast corridor: Drogheda and Dundalk are both under an hour from Dublin by motorway and rail, and Dublin Airport is close to the south.

Places for your trip

• Dundalk: A working border town doing the business of the north-east corridor. Dundalk is the county town of County Louth, near the border with Northern Ireland.
• Drogheda: The port came first here, and the town still faces the river that made it. Drogheda stands on the River Boyne in County Louth.
• Monasterboice: Muiredach's Cross is the reason to come: carved high crosses at an early monastic site in County Louth, among the finest in Ireland.
• Mellifont Abbey: Mellifont Abbey near the River Mattock was the first Cistercian monastery founded in Ireland, in 1142.
• Carlingford: Oysters and medieval streets under Slieve Foy: the town keeps its castles and its harbour in one small, walkable core. Carlingford stands on Carlingford Lough in County Louth.
• County Louth (Baltray): Baltray's championship links, host of the Irish Open in 2004 and 2009.

What's on

No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar

Nearby counties

County Armagh

Ireland's ecclesiastical capital keeps two cathedrals for Saint Patrick and orchards around Loughgall that fill with blossom in spring. Drumlin country rolls away in every direction.

County Meath

The Boyne Valley holds the deep past: Newgrange and Tara within a short drive of each other, and Trim's great Norman castle. Give the valley a full day.

County Monaghan

Patrick Kavanagh's drumlin country: small hills, lakes and market towns, with Carrickmacross lace and Lough Muckno's shore for slow days.

Part of Ireland's Ancient East.