Begin at Dundalk Clarke Station, a 19th-century railway hub with a red-brick facade, centrally located near the town’s heart. Head south (5-minute walk) to Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk’s bustling main thoroughfare lined with shops and cafés. Pop into The Coffee Station on Park Street, just off Clanbrassil, for a quick coffee or artisan pastry, its cosy, modern vibe and local brews offer a welcoming start.
Stroll east (10 minutes) to Market Square, the historic core of Dundalk, where the Saturday Market (open until early afternoon) buzzes with stalls selling local cheeses, breads, and hot food. Grab a cheap, hearty lunch, try a fresh sausage roll or a veggie samosa from a vendor like McAteer’s Food House. Arrive by 12:30 PM to beat the crowds, as it’s a no-reservations hotspot with a communal, 19th-century diner feel.
Continue south (5 minutes) to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a 19th-century Gothic-style masterpiece with soaring spires and intricate stained glass. A quick visit (donations appreciated) offers a glimpse into Dundalk’s religious heritage. The cathedral’s serene courtyard, with views toward the Cooley Mountains, adds a scenic touch.
Head west (10-minute walk) along Jocelyn Street to The Spirit Store, a quirky harbourside pub with a rich history tied to Dundalk’s maritime past. Grab a pint or a quick bite like their signature fish goujons in a no-bookings setting. Its nautical decor and live music vibe (often starting later) feel steeped in local character.
Walk north (10 minutes) to Roddy Doyle’s Bridge and the County Museum Dundalk, housed in a restored 18th-century distillery. The museum (€2 entry, under 10 minutes) showcases Louth’s history with artefacts like old looms and Viking relics, a serene, artistic pause. The nearby Castletown River adds a tranquil backdrop.
Continue east (10-minute walk) to Church Street and The Jockeys for a hot chocolate or artisan coffee, served in a charming setting with views of the town’s historic streets. Browse nearby Marshes Shopping Centre for a touch of local boutique charm.
End your tour (10-minute walk) at Seatown Castle, a 15th-century tower house and former monastery site, now part of a quiet churchyard. The adjacent St. Nicholas’ Church offers small historical displays, providing a cultural capstone. If time allows, grab a classic 99 ice cream cone from Scoops on Park Street to enjoy by the riverbank near the Castletown River.
Largest town walking tour
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Population of towns in county Louth
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Villages
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Louth:
Ireland’s county Louth is a county of historic depth and coastal beauty, with Drogheda’s St Peter’s Church housing a historic shrine and the Boyne Valley offering ancient sites like Newgrange, a UNESCO-listed passage tomb just over the border in county Meath. Carlingford’s medieval streets and castle provide scenic walks, while Dundalk’s coastal paths add natural allure. Other attractions include the Cooley Peninsula’s hiking trails. Louth is Ireland’s smallest county by size (821 sq km) and 17th largest by population (139,703). Population peaked at 128,240 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 63,665 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Louth is Ireland’s 21st most visited tourist county with around 108,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
