Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula, Ireland's Ancient East, Where it all begins...
Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth, European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) 2008
Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula the starting point for Ireland's Ancient East.
Just halfway between the two capital cities on the island of Ireland, Belfast and Dublin, an ancient land recounted in Irish Mythology in the epic "An Táin Bó Cúailgne" and the legends of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna.
Visitors can visit prehistoric sites such as the Proleek Dolmen and Clontygora Court Tomb, walk in the footsteps of Cú Chulainn on the Táin Way which traverses the Cooley Peninsula taking in the beauty of the Cooley Mountains, Ravensdale Woods, Glenmore Valley, the Long Woman's Grave, Omeath and Carlingford.
Visit Carlingford, a Viking settlement and later an Anglo-Norman stronghold and trading post.
Carlingford's lure and charm is centred around it's ancient origins including the Norman fortifications, monastic ruins and medieval civic buildings as well as the unique railway heritage which has shaped the modern town we know today.
The village of Greenore to the east, a Victorian purpose built village to accommodate the employees of the DNGR railway and port is an extension to Carlingford as is Omeath to the west which was a major Fish trading centre given it's proximity to the mountain pass to Dundalk, Newry and Warrenpoint. Omeath has a resurging Irish music & language scene and is a must if Irish music is on the agenda, various cultural events are held throughout the year.
The geography of the Cooley Peninsula provides the setting for the best adventure & outdoor based activities to be had in Ireland with hillwalking, looped walks, cycle paths, sailing, angling, golf, horse riding, bird watching, mountain biking, zip wires, zorbing, off roading and shooting games (airsoft, paintball, laser tag) to name just some. A favourite venue for competitive sporting events with triathlons, endurance races, mountain biking, cycle races & running events taking place regularly on an annual basis.
There are Festivals and Events throughout the year celebrating culture, heritage and of course food! Family fun and entertainment are the focus for all of the festivals and the National Leprechaun Hunt on the slopes of Slieve Foy is a great adventure for the whole family! Carlingford Lough is famed for it's Oysters and each August the Carlingford Oyster Festival celebrates this fact with a weekend of delicious food & family fun.