Don’t be put off by Louth’s status as the smallest county in Ireland - despite its tiny geographical area, there’s plenty to do in the Wee County!
Louth has two major towns - Dundalk and Drogheda, and boasts some impressive forest walks and hiking trails.
It’s also very easily accessible as it’s equidistant with Belfast and Dublin - it’s roughly an hour on the M1 to get to these major cities. It’s also part of Ireland’s Ancient East, with plenty of castles and round tower ruins.
Read more: Staycation in Clare: Best Wild Atlantic Way spots, eat and drink in Ennis and top hotels
Hotels
Four Seasons Hotel
If you have the budget, the Four Seasons Hotel can offer total luxury. This hotel is located in the small town of Carlingford, which is nestled in the Cooley Peninsula between the waters of Carlingford Lough and the mountain of Slieve Foye. The hotel offers plush rooms, delicious food and a leisure centre with a beautiful spa for those looking for a chill weekend.
The d hotel
This four-star, modern hotel is located right in the heart of Drogheda town along the banks of the River Boyne. The hotel has some impressive views over the waterfront and is just a stone’s throw away from St. Laurence’s Gate, a barbican which was built in the 13th century as part of the walled fortifications of Drogheda, and the Millmount Motte and Martello Tower. The hotel also has two food offerings - Goodwins Steakhouse and The Hops.
Áine’s guide to Dundalk
Eat
There are plenty of gorgeous eateries in Dundalk and the surrounding areas. The Townhouse offers ál la carte dining and wood-fired pizza, as well as beautiful cocktails. Atami offers an authentic Asian dining experience, with sushi to die for! The incredibly popular XXI ICE sells hand-rolled ice cream, perfect for a summer’s day. For the best chipper of your life, head to the Roma.
Drink
Dundalk has some great pubs and nightclubs. If you want a quiet drink, try the traditional-style Bartenders. If you want a pub with plenty of space, Courtney’s Bar is for you. This bar has high ceilings and fittings from old churches. There’s even a card room if you fancy a round of Go Fish!
If you want to party the night away, there is Ridley’s nightclub for the younger crowd and The Rum House downstairs for the over 23s. There’s also Brubaker’s late bar, which features some amazing interiors and a gigantic open smoking area.
Walk
If you head up towards the top of the town in the Newry direction, there is a great walk along Dundalk Bay called the Navvy Bank Walk.
You can also walk around the town and enjoy the amazing SEEK murals painted on the side of buildings.
Dundalk has the tallest mural in Ireland, which is 41 metres in height and painted on the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It depicts the Celtic god Lú.
Hidden treasure
The Spirit Store, located on the waterfront, is home to Dundalk’s lively music scene. This venue regularly hosts free gigs encompassing a wide variety of genres, and they also do comedy gigs if music isn’t your thing.
Shop
The Marshes shopping centre is a good place to shop in Dundalk - it has all high-street stores like New Look, Penneys, and H&M. For those who want something more unique, Clanbrassil Street boasts plenty of independent boutiques and charity shops.
Unmissable spots in Louth
Táin Way
The Táin Way is a hillwalking trail that will take you from Carlingford across to Ravensdale and back again. In the summertime, you will see incredible views atop the Slieve Foye mountain, and you can also walk through wooded areas. If you don’t fancy doing the full walk, there’s plenty of other shorter walks in the same area.
Beaches
Louth has some gorgeous coastal spots. If you want a very quiet beach, Port is perfect - there are no cafés, coffee shops or other markers of civilization here - just you and the waves!
If you want somewhere a bit more lively and family-oriented, Bettystown beach is a good shout.
Termonfeckin beach is also lovely and features an old shipwreck from the 1970s. It’s a 7.1km walk north up to Clogherhead Beach and back, if you fancy a stroll.
St Oliver Plunkett’s Head
For those who aren’t squeamish, you can view St Oliver Plunkett’s severed head in Saint Peter's Church in Drogheda (yes, really!).
Plunkett was hanged, drawn and quartered in England in 1681. His head has been resting in Drogheda since 1921.
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