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Oriel Trail Touring Route - County Louth - Self Drive
Oct 13 2011 06:37 AM | Bhushan in Self Drive Tours
Oriel Trail Touring Route - County Louth
+353 (0)42 9335484
dundalk@failteireland.ie
The route makes its way through County Louth taking in all of its splendour whether it may be the Medieval Village of Carlingford in the north or the historical town of Drogheda. There are places of interest to suit all interests ranging from monuments, historic houses, castle & gardens and adventure centres to name but a few.
Dundalk the next stop of this journey lies north of Drogheda off the N1. You can step back in time with Dundalk’s Heritage Trail, which begins on Jocelyn Street and takes you through the streets of Dundalk, which is steeped in history. You will get the chance to see The County Museum, Seatown Windmill and The Franciscan Bell Tower to name but a few. Leaflets on the heritage trail are available in Dundalk Tourist Office, which is on Jocelyn Street in Dundalk. Dundalk is also well known for its shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife, with great traditional Irish Pubs to cater for the night owl!
Dundalk is a good place to top for a bite to eat, as there are restaurants and cafes to suit every palette. Following the trail onto the R173 again north of Dundalk you will come upon Ballymascanlon one of Irelands smallest villages which you can witness the splendour of the Proleek Dolmen, a fine example of a portal dolmen with a cap stone that weighs 40 ton and is supported by three upright stones. Legend says a wish is granted to anyone who can toss a pebble onto the capstone. Carlingford, one of Ireland’s most prestigious Heritage towns, steeped in its medieval history; here you can take a walking tour of this village and take in all it has to offer.
There is a fine choice of restaurants, bars, craft shops, tourist accommodation and activity options. Continue along the R173 until you get to Omeath where you can stop and enjoy the views out over Warrenpoint and the Mourne mountains in Northern Ireland. From Omeath you will take a left turn onto the “mountain road” towards Dundalk which will no doubt amaze you as you will see the most beautiful views of Northern Ireland from one side and Southern Ireland on the other as well as the beautiful Carlingford marina and Lough area. It would be an ideal point in the journey to stop for a picnic or for a quick walk around the picnic areas in the mountain. Back through Dundalk and onto the R171 towards Knockbridge. In a field, one mile from the village stands Cloghafarmore, the stone against which Cuchulainn, though mortally wounded, tied himself so as to remain standing upright on the approach of his enemies. Also in this area you will find Agnes Burns cottage and Stephenstown pond, which is well worth a visit, with its children’s play areas and coffee shops.
Louth village, originally the site of a shrine to the Celtic God Lugh, from which it gets its name. In this village you will find Knockabbey Castle & Gardens, which opens its gates to the public from May until September. Still on the R171, Tallanstown the manor village, associated with the Plunkett Barons of County Louth, no longer resident but whose ancestral mansion house stands south of the visage towards Ardee. One can enjoy the scenic walks around this quiet countryside area. Continue on the R171 towards Ardee. In the medieval period Ardee stood as a stronghold defending the pale and marches of west Louth and was to suffer much in the wars of the 17th century. It provides the more enduring services of a market town to which resorted, both Irish and English, a function which it has continued to fulfil successfully to this day. Ardee Castle was a base in the 15th and 16th centuries for attacks on Ulster. Two English Lord Deputies, Stanley and the White Earl of Ormond died there after such expeditions. You will take the last leg of your journey from Ardee on the R170 to the N1 towards Drogheda.
The first stop you will encounter is the town of Drogheda, on the banks of the Boyne. You will arrive in Drogheda having come off the N1 from Dublin. Throughout this town you will find many remnants of its medieval past. One should take particular note of St. Laurence’s Gate, the Magdalene Tower, the Old Abbey and the Town Museum at Millmount. Saint Peter’s Church on West Street in Drogheda houses Saint Oliver Plunketts head, a must see for adults and children alike. Drogheda Tourist Office located on Mayoralty Street will have leaflets and booklets on the different trails in the area. The town itself has many shops and eateries in which you could spend time browsing around. This town is an excellent place to stop and have a break on the beginning of your journey on the Oriel Trail. Next you will pass through the scenic area of Baltray. Situated on the R166 north of Drogheda, this village is home to The County Louth Golf Club and an important area of interest for the birdwatcher, you will find birds such as brent geese, ducks, waders and terns here.
Moving further north on the coastal road you will enter the village of Termonfeckin, the seat and castle of the medieval and later Protestant primates of Armagh until 1656. This was the site of an early Irish Monastery dedicated to St. Feckin, only the High Cross of which now stands in the churchyard of the Church of Ireland. Just further north of Termonfeckin you will enter Clogherhead an important fishing village. It is noted for its beautiful beach at which you can enjoy gorgeous panoramic views and a variety of wildlife. Onwards to Monasterboice situated just off the N1 north of Drogheda. Here you will find a 5th century early Christian settlement complete with Round Tower and high crosses, just off the M1 north of Drogheda. This settlement was established by Saint Boice in the year 521AD and remained the monastery until the opening of Mellifont in 1142. Just south of Dundalk off the N1 is the small fishing village of Blackrock where you can get a clear view of the Carlingford and Mourne mountains.
Distance : Approximately 150 km
+353 (0)42 9335484
dundalk@failteireland.ie
The route makes its way through County Louth taking in all of its splendour whether it may be the Medieval Village of Carlingford in the north or the historical town of Drogheda. There are places of interest to suit all interests ranging from monuments, historic houses, castle & gardens and adventure centres to name but a few.
Dundalk the next stop of this journey lies north of Drogheda off the N1. You can step back in time with Dundalk’s Heritage Trail, which begins on Jocelyn Street and takes you through the streets of Dundalk, which is steeped in history. You will get the chance to see The County Museum, Seatown Windmill and The Franciscan Bell Tower to name but a few. Leaflets on the heritage trail are available in Dundalk Tourist Office, which is on Jocelyn Street in Dundalk. Dundalk is also well known for its shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife, with great traditional Irish Pubs to cater for the night owl!
Dundalk is a good place to top for a bite to eat, as there are restaurants and cafes to suit every palette. Following the trail onto the R173 again north of Dundalk you will come upon Ballymascanlon one of Irelands smallest villages which you can witness the splendour of the Proleek Dolmen, a fine example of a portal dolmen with a cap stone that weighs 40 ton and is supported by three upright stones. Legend says a wish is granted to anyone who can toss a pebble onto the capstone. Carlingford, one of Ireland’s most prestigious Heritage towns, steeped in its medieval history; here you can take a walking tour of this village and take in all it has to offer.
There is a fine choice of restaurants, bars, craft shops, tourist accommodation and activity options. Continue along the R173 until you get to Omeath where you can stop and enjoy the views out over Warrenpoint and the Mourne mountains in Northern Ireland. From Omeath you will take a left turn onto the “mountain road” towards Dundalk which will no doubt amaze you as you will see the most beautiful views of Northern Ireland from one side and Southern Ireland on the other as well as the beautiful Carlingford marina and Lough area. It would be an ideal point in the journey to stop for a picnic or for a quick walk around the picnic areas in the mountain. Back through Dundalk and onto the R171 towards Knockbridge. In a field, one mile from the village stands Cloghafarmore, the stone against which Cuchulainn, though mortally wounded, tied himself so as to remain standing upright on the approach of his enemies. Also in this area you will find Agnes Burns cottage and Stephenstown pond, which is well worth a visit, with its children’s play areas and coffee shops.
Louth village, originally the site of a shrine to the Celtic God Lugh, from which it gets its name. In this village you will find Knockabbey Castle & Gardens, which opens its gates to the public from May until September. Still on the R171, Tallanstown the manor village, associated with the Plunkett Barons of County Louth, no longer resident but whose ancestral mansion house stands south of the visage towards Ardee. One can enjoy the scenic walks around this quiet countryside area. Continue on the R171 towards Ardee. In the medieval period Ardee stood as a stronghold defending the pale and marches of west Louth and was to suffer much in the wars of the 17th century. It provides the more enduring services of a market town to which resorted, both Irish and English, a function which it has continued to fulfil successfully to this day. Ardee Castle was a base in the 15th and 16th centuries for attacks on Ulster. Two English Lord Deputies, Stanley and the White Earl of Ormond died there after such expeditions. You will take the last leg of your journey from Ardee on the R170 to the N1 towards Drogheda.
The first stop you will encounter is the town of Drogheda, on the banks of the Boyne. You will arrive in Drogheda having come off the N1 from Dublin. Throughout this town you will find many remnants of its medieval past. One should take particular note of St. Laurence’s Gate, the Magdalene Tower, the Old Abbey and the Town Museum at Millmount. Saint Peter’s Church on West Street in Drogheda houses Saint Oliver Plunketts head, a must see for adults and children alike. Drogheda Tourist Office located on Mayoralty Street will have leaflets and booklets on the different trails in the area. The town itself has many shops and eateries in which you could spend time browsing around. This town is an excellent place to stop and have a break on the beginning of your journey on the Oriel Trail. Next you will pass through the scenic area of Baltray. Situated on the R166 north of Drogheda, this village is home to The County Louth Golf Club and an important area of interest for the birdwatcher, you will find birds such as brent geese, ducks, waders and terns here.
Moving further north on the coastal road you will enter the village of Termonfeckin, the seat and castle of the medieval and later Protestant primates of Armagh until 1656. This was the site of an early Irish Monastery dedicated to St. Feckin, only the High Cross of which now stands in the churchyard of the Church of Ireland. Just further north of Termonfeckin you will enter Clogherhead an important fishing village. It is noted for its beautiful beach at which you can enjoy gorgeous panoramic views and a variety of wildlife. Onwards to Monasterboice situated just off the N1 north of Drogheda. Here you will find a 5th century early Christian settlement complete with Round Tower and high crosses, just off the M1 north of Drogheda. This settlement was established by Saint Boice in the year 521AD and remained the monastery until the opening of Mellifont in 1142. Just south of Dundalk off the N1 is the small fishing village of Blackrock where you can get a clear view of the Carlingford and Mourne mountains.
Distance : Approximately 150 km
