County Louth: Monastic Sites, High Crosses and Greenway

County Louth offers several distinct themes for a trip: early monastic history, high crosses with detailed carvings, walks by the lough and a route for hiking or cycling. Old Mellifont, Monasterboice and Carlingford Castle provide tangible points of interest for history enthusiasts; Stephenstown Pond Nature Park and the Carlingford Lough Greenway turn the focus to nature and activity. This lets you plan your stay around the themes that interest you most.

Monasteries and High Crosses

Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey in Tullyallen near Drogheda was Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery. The Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey Monastic Site features a two-storey, octagonal lavabo. The combination of two storeys and its octagonal shape makes it a distinctive architectural feature of the site. Visitor facilities include access to an exhibition in the visitor centre and a guided tour; check the current visitor arrangements before your trip.

Monasterboice, with its round tower and high crosses, is one of the finest examples of an early Christian, or “Celtic,” monastery. The Tall Cross, also known as the West Cross, is Ireland’s tallest high cross at 6.5 m. Muiredach’s Cross, also known as the South Cross, is 5.5 m high and completely intact. It depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as two playful cats at the lower part of the shaft. The two crosses can also be compared by their measurements: the Tall Cross is one metre taller than Muiredach’s Cross.

Carlingford Castle and Seasonal Tours

Carlingford Castle was built around 1190, probably by the Norman baron Hugh de Lacy. Tours are scheduled from March to October. As seasonal visitor arrangements may change, check the current dates before your trip. The approximate construction date and the qualified attribution to Hugh de Lacy also provide a historical reference point for your visit, without claiming definite authorship.

Nature and Activity

Stephenstown Pond Nature Park in Knockattin near Dundalk features lakeside walking paths, woodland and a wide variety of wildlife. Its different features make the park an appealing place for a nature walk: depending on the section, you can focus on the water, the woodland or the wildlife.

The Carlingford Lough Greenway stretches 20 km from the village of Carlingford in County Louth to Newry City in County Down. It runs mostly off-road along the southern shore of Carlingford Lough and offers a route for hiking and cycling. The route connects a starting point in County Louth with a destination in County Down; the Greenway is therefore a longer activity in its own right, alongside visits to individual cultural sites. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When looking for a hotel, your planned type of trip can be a useful starting point: Monasterboice and Old Mellifont are cultural and historical sites to visit, while the Greenway offers hiking and cycling along a 20 km route. Stephenstown Pond adds lakeside walks and woodland. These options differ mainly in the type of activity they offer.

A Wider Look at Leinster

In the wider destination of Leinster, Brú na Bóinne offers a prehistoric site of its own. The World Heritage Site lies in a bend of the River Boyne. The prehistoric passage tombs of Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth were built around 3200 BC. The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the starting point for all visits to Newgrange and Knowth; check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Bettystown, Dundalk, Drogheda, Carlingford, Termonfeckin, Lower Jenkinstown, Tallanstown, Ardee, Collon, Stabannan, Dunleer.

Return to the wider travel overview: Leinster.