Easy hikes and walks in Louth

Great view of the famous River Boyne from the Townley Hall Woods walking path. In Irish mythology, it is claimed that the river was created by the queen and goddess Boann. Another legend says that the Boyne is the river where Fionn mac Cumhaill captured the Salmon of Knowledge.

Townley Hall Woods is very well signposted so it's a great spot for an easy walk. The terrain is flat and easy going so accessing all of the wonderful historic sites is easy for almost everyone.

Townley Hall Wood was part of Townley Hall Estate which was owned by the Balfour family. The Balfours built Townley Hall House (not open to the public) together with this little lodge and entrance gate. A nearby car park makes this a great place to start your walk from. Enjoy the Brú na Bóinne archaeological site and the Battle of the Boyne site.

Baltray beach is a sandy and shingle stretch from the Boyne River mouth in the south up north along the edge of Baltray golf course. The wreck of the Irish Trader lies in the sand a bit north of this spot, the ship ran aground during storms in 1974.

The River Boyne flows for about 112 km (70 miles) through Leinster to the Irish Sea. The river is home to several species of trout and salmon spawn here in the autumn.

Taaffe's Castle is a fortified merchant's house dating from the early 16th century, built by the wealthy Taaffe family, who later became the Earls of Carlingford. Situated near the old harbour, the building originally served as a trading post on the ground floor with residential floors above. The architecture displays typical defensive features such as machicolations, narrow loopholes, spiral staircases, and multi-level garderobes. [curiousireland.ie], [castles.nl], [carlingfor...centre.com] The main structure is a four-storey rectangular tower, later extended with a 16th-century northern extension. Its location and construction clearly demonstrate Carlingford's importance as a thriving trading town during that period. After the 17th century, it fell into disuse, and eventually fell into disuse. Today, it forms part of a pub complex and remains a striking example of medieval urban defensive architecture in Carlingford.

Carlingford Castle, also known as King John’s Castle, is a striking 12th-century fortress overlooking the charming medieval town of Carlingford and its scenic harbour. Built by Hugh de Lacy to guard the strategic Lough, the castle has a commanding presence with its weathered stone walls and rugged silhouette against the water. Though partially in ruins, it still captures the atmosphere of Ireland’s Norman past, and its elevated position offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.

The Táin Way is a 40 kilometre (25 mi) circular hiking trail that starts and ends in Carlingford. Named after the ancient Irish epic "Táin Bó Cúailnge", the route winds through the Cooley Peninsula, offering a mix of coastal views, forest paths, and mountain tracks. Typically completed over two days, the trail includes a total ascent of about 1,025 meters and is marked with yellow arrows on a black background. Along the way, hikers encounter historical sites like Bronze Age cairns and enjoy panoramic vistas of Carlingford Lough and the Mourne Mountains. Alternative trailheads are available at Omeath and Ravensdale, providing flexibility for different starting points. Please note that dogs are not permitted on farmland sections of the trail.