An area steeped in local legend and folklore
THE area is steeped in legend, with a rich heritage and interesting history, with so much to go and see and of interest. Travellers can visit neolithic tombs such as the Proleek dolmen and Clontygora court grave, walk in the footsteps of the legendary Cúchulainn, discover the Viking settlement and the Norman fortification.
Myriad myths and legends surround the area – from the Celts to national tales and the epic An Táin Bo Cuailnge (the cattle raid of Cooley); the Irish giant Finn McCool lies on the side of Slieve Foye with his feet resting in Carlingford Lough; and Fairy Hill on the Cooley Peninsula reputedly has the special power to magically pull parked cars up its slopes.
Carlingford was originally a Viking settlement and even its name originates from its Viking history – Carlin Fjord’ (Fjord simply meant a bay to the Vikings).
It is also listed as a Medieval Heritage Town – having more historical buildings than any town of the same size in the whole of Ireland. Extensive town walls have survived, together with the ruins of monasteries and, most important of all, of civic buildings – an extremely rare happening in Ireland.
The community has over the years built up it’s tourist infra-structure to become an all year round Mecca where dining and food is concerned with top class hotels, restaurants, bistros and cafés and leading pubs. It offers a full range of accommodation from top class hotels, hostels, B&Bs and also self catering.
It caters for all sorts of occasions. There is a high level of innovation within the tourism industry in the area. There is a full range of visitor services available ranging from banks, churches, medical, shopping, taxis and boat hire to guides and the heritage centre.
An essential part of a break for visitors, especially ladies, is the opportunity to shop, and within the Carlingford Peninsula area are some of the finest boutiques, and just on it’s doorstep Dundalk and Newry offer everything a shopper could wish to buy.
Regular entertainment is laid on by local pubs, restaurants and hotels, along with guided tours to the likes of Cooley Distillery, and you can explore the area on bus and bicycle.
There is also a full programme of events over the summer to cater for different tastes and enjoy the area in a more sedentary way if you like.
A full event calendar runs practically every weekend somewhere on the peninsula. It is known for the annual Poc Fada in August on the Annav- erna Mountain, Carlingford Oyster Festival, Darcy Mc Gee Summer School, The Omeath Irish Cultural Festival and National Heritage Week. There are regular activities such as a weekly car boot market in Omeath, Ravensdale Saturday market and a monthly indoor craft and food fair in Carlingford.
Carlingford and The Cooley Peninsula is becoming a recognised venue for live music- trad or rock, day or night!