Louth Hotels from RM337

County Louth is the smallest county in the Republic of Ireland and is located just 49 miles north of Dublin, the capital city. The relative proximity of an international travel hub like Dublin means that people come from all over the world to visit County Louth, and its position on the coast and resting on the border with Northern Ireland means that it contains a little bit of just about everything that makes the Republic of Ireland special.

Travelling to County Louth

As County Louth is just a short drive away from Dublin Airport, it is easily reached by tourists from around the world. Dublin Airport is the busiest in the Republic of Ireland, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day. Over 21 million passengers per year pass through it, making use of routes from all over the world supplied by 50 airlines. Once your flight has landed and you’ve made use of the facilities such as bureau de change, banking and shopping, you’ll be only an hour’s drive away from the centre of County Louth.

Beaches

County Louth sits on the coast looking out to the Irish Sea, making it an excellent base for a beach holiday of the more rugged and windswept variety. There are three beaches in County Louth that have been awarded coveted Blue Flag status. Clogerhead Beach is by the fishing village of the same name. Positioned on a headland, it offers stunning views north towards the Cooley and Mourne Mountains and south towards Lambay Island. The beach has a long stretch of sand backed by dunes, and is the perfect place to try your hand at fishing, bathing or simply soaking in the magnificent views.

A few miles north of Clogerhead you’ll find Port, a remote beach with a stretch of sand dunes that are ideal for enjoying a picnic. Templetown and Shelling Hill, to the north of County Louth, on the Cooley peninsula, are remote beaches offering a smooth stretch of sand and shingle with a south-facing aspect.

All three of these beaches are patrolled by lifeguards during the bathing season, and signs on each beach should be checked to verify whether a patrol of this kind is in place.

History

The river Boyne runs through County Louth, and many of the most famous historical and cultural sites of the county are situated close to its banks. The arts centre in Drogheda actually stretches from one bank of the river to the other, and within a short walk you’ll discover Carberry’s Bar, a traditional music venue dating back 150 years, and Beaulieu House, which is home to a museum of motor racing.

Fans of the more sedate side of historical Louth should visit Knockabbey Castle and Gardens, which was built around 1399 and boasts stunning water gardens dating back to the 11th century. The 30 acres surrounding the castle take in every kind of landscape, from meadows to formal Victorian gardens, and a day spent here will be one spent travelling back in time to a quieter, more sedate era.