Patrick Kavanagh Centre

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre located in Iniskeen near Dundalk is a showcase of the life and works of the great Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh.

Features of the tours at the centre include; a sixty seater audio-visual theatre, research centre and also on view are twelve specially commissioned   paintings illustrating Kavanagh's epic poem "The Great Hunger".

Visit http://www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com  for more info.

Stephenstown Pond

Stephenstown Pond encompasses a five-acre site consisting of woodlands, lakeside walk and carp fishing decks. The pond is fully accessible for persons with disabilities and is wheelchair friendly.

The beautifully restored 18th century cottage was the home of Agnes Burns (sister of the Scottish bard Robbie Burns). It explores the life and works of the poet. Ecological interpretative boards and Animal Interpretative Centre makes this site a valuable educational and relaxing family natural haven.

Visit - www.stephenstownpond.com for more info.

Knockabbey Castle

Knockabbey Castle has evolved over the last millennium and each of the families who lived there have left their mark. They contain some of the finest historical water gardens to be found anywhere in the country, dating back to the 11th century. The gardens contain a wide range of magnificent specimen trees and its tulip tree ranks among the largest and finest in Ireland.

Visit - www.knockabbeycastle.com  for more info.

Monasterboice

The historic ruins of Monasterboice are of an early Christian settlement in County Louth in the Republic of Ireland , north of Drogheda . It was founded in the late 5th century by St. Buite who died around AD 521 and was an important centre of religion and learning until founding of nearby Mellifont Abbey in 112 .

Mellifont Abbey

The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St. Malachy of Armagh, its most unusual feature is the octagonal Lavabo c.1200. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition on the work of masons in the Middle Ages with fine examples of their craft on display.

Ardgillan Castle

Ardgillan is situated on the elevated coastline between Balbriggan and Skerries and is unique among Dublin's Regional Parks for the magnificent views it enjoys.

The estate is open from April - September and boasts the following facilities: Tea-rooms within the castle, picnic area, rose garden, Victorian conservatory and a walled kitchen garden.

Newgrange Passage-Tomb

Newgrange is one of the best examples in Ireland and in Western Europe, of a type of monument known to archaeologists as a passage-grave or passage-tomb.

It was constructed around 3200BC, according to the most reliable Carbon 14 dates available from archaeology. This makes it more than 600 years older than the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, and 1,000 years more ancient than Stonehenge.

Visit http://www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm for more info.

Newgrange Farm

Located near Slane, this 333 acre working farm surrounds the famous passage grave at Newgrange. Visitors are encouraged to experience farming life and there is a coffee shop and picnic areas on site. The farm opens to visitors from Easter to September.

Shellinghill/Templetown Beach

This blue flag beach called after the crusading "Knights Templars" fronts one of Louth's most popular but as yet unspoilt stretch of coastline. Protected on each side by a low level rock promontory, its smooth safe sands extends its friendly playground to curious underwater marine life and to numerous local and day trippers from as far away as Armagh & Cavan.