It is named after the village of Louth, which in turn is named after Lugh, a god of the ancient Irish. Historically, the placename has had various spellings; “Lugmad”, “Lughmhaigh”, and “Lughmhadh” . Lú is the modern simplified spelling.
County Louth is colloquially known as ‘The wee county’ as it is Ireland’s smallest county by area.
These are some of the most significant landmarks, buildings and monuments in County Louth
The beautiful Beaulieu House (1680) is located 3 miles from the town of Drogheda in co.Louth. This is a rare example of a late c.17th mansion that stills exists in Ireland without alterations. This was [...]
Castle Roche, Dundalk, County Louth Castle Roche is one of the most striking Anglo-Norman castles in Ireland. It was built in 1236 by the De Verdun family and the steep rocky outcrop along with its [...]
Cúchulainn's Stone (Clochafarmore) is located near the village of Knockbridge in co.Louth. It may date to anytime between 1000 b.c - 500 a.d. According to legend, the mortally wounded Cúchulainn bound himself to this 10 [...]
Muiredach’s High Cross, Monasterboice, County Louth This is the wonderful Muiredach’s High Cross. It is regarded as the most beautiful Celtic cross in the World and Ireland’s greatest contribution to European sculpture. It stands 18-feet [...]
This national monument is Ardee Castle located on the main street of Ardee in county Louth. It is the largest fortified medieval tower house in Ireland. The original structure on this site was founded by [...]
King John's Castle is located in Carlingford in county Louth. This national monument was allegedly built for King John of England in 1200 however recent research suggests that it may have been built by the [...]
Taaffe's Castle is situated in the beautiful medieval town of Carlingford. It was built around 1520 as a fortified townhouse and a trading depot for the Taaffe family. The Taaffe's later became the 'Earls of [...]
This beautifully carved cross is located in the grounds of Monasterboice in county Louth. It is the tallest cross Ireland standing high at 21 feet and is dated to the 9th century. High Crosses are [...]
St Laurence's Gate is located in Drogheda in county Louth. This interesting structure was built in 1280 just outside the original walls of Drogheda. It is described as a 'barbican' and is regarded as the [...]
Millmount Martello Tower, Drogheda. Co.Louth 1808 The Millmount Martello Tower is Drogheda's most dominant feature and it's most strategic location. Legend says it is the burial place of Amhairghin, a mythical Celtic poet and it [...]
The Abbey of St Mary d'Urso is located in Drogheda in county Louth. This national monument is Drogheda's oldest monastic site and is known as 'The old abbey' or 'The Hospital of St. Mary d’Urso' [...]
The Round Tower of Monasterboice is located in county Louth and dates from the 10th century a.d. The tower stands 92 feet high but may have originally been 108 feet making it one of the [...]
Mellifont Abbey located in Tullyallen in co. Meath was founded by St Malachy in 1142. This was the first and most important of Ireland's 35 Cistercian abbeys. The term Cistercian derives from Cistercium, the Latin [...]
Proleek Dolmen, Ballymascanlon, County Louth This is the beautiful and graceful Proleek Dolmen located on the legendary Cooley Peninsula in co. Louth. It is one of the finest examples in Ireland and dates from between [...]
Muiredach’s High Cross, Monasterboice, County Louth This is the wonderful Muiredach’s High Cross. It is regarded as the most beautiful Celtic cross in the World and Ireland’s greatest contribution to European sculpture. It stands 18-feet [...]
