New year – new adventures. There is no better time to start your scenic seafood trail! Pick up your sea louth passport from the Carlingford, Dundalk or Drogheda tourist offices, and take off on an unforgettable journey along our 70+ km-long scenic coast, breathing in fresh sea air and eating the finest, local seafood along the way.
Here is our pick of the top sea louth experiences – 22 for 2022! Unlike a regular passport, the sea louth passport has no expiry date, so you are free to dip in and out of the trail all year long. Collect 14 unique scenic viewpoint stamps and two restaurant stamps, from over 40 participating restaurants, and exchange your completed sea louth passport for an exclusive memento. What are you waiting for?
1. Starting in Omeath, cycle the stunningly scenic Carlingford Lough Greenway. The trail follows the old railway line and brings you as far as Carlingford Marina – two passport stamp collection opportunities in one!
2. Take a tour of medieval Carlingford, one of the best-preserved villages from this era in all of Ireland.
3. Follow in the footsteps of Roz Purcell and Michael Portillo, and set off on a Carlingford Lough Sea tour, taking in magnificent mountain and Lough views.
4. Get your thrills in Carlingford, with a choice of amazing active pursuits on offer, from sea kayaking and hill walking to Skypark , Ireland’s biggest zipline and sky trekking park.
5. Visit the new Carlingford Oysters’ visitor experience, expected to open in late-Spring/early-Summer 2022.
6. Step back in time with afternoon tea in the Victoria tea rooms at Greenore Co-op. Here you will also discover the model Miniature Railway & Maritime Museum.
7. Take the family to Templetown Beach, a gem of a beach sheltered and south-facing with ample parking - don’t forget to pack a picnic!
8. Spot rescued seals being released into the Irish sea by Seal Rescue Ireland, at Gyles Quay, nestled at the foot of the Cooley mountains.
9. Walk the Annaloughan Loop and enjoy breath-taking views from the Cooley Peninsula out over Dundalk Bay.
10. Enjoy a spot of birdwatching at picturesque Dundalk Bay, the most important site for wading migratory birds in Ireland.
11. Dine in Dundalk, home to an array of award-winning restaurants. Be sure to order a sea louth signature seafood dish, and pick up one of your passport restaurant stamps.
12. Stroll along the promenade at beautiful Blackrock and soak up the relaxed atmosphere in the village’s gorgeous artisan shops, cafes, bars and award-winning restaurants.
13. Sample Annagassan razor clams, a delicacy synonymous with this scenic stretch of coast.
14. Walk the dunes at Port Beach, the secluded sandy beach located just a few short miles north of the fishing village of Clogherhead.
15. Eat the freshest fish and chips by the sea at Clogherhead. You will see the catch landed as you eat, and admire uninterrupted views of the Cooley and Mourne Mountains.
16. Watch the comings and goings at Port Oriel, Clogherhead. Several of our sea louth producers are based here, and the harbour has been in place since 1885.
17. See quaint Termonfeckin Bridge, which crosses the Ballywater River as it flows to the Irish Sea.
18. Spot rare wild birds, including little terns and little egrets at beautiful Baltray.
19. Marvel at the Boyne Viaduct in Drogheda. An incredible feat of engineering, this Drogheda landmark overlooks Drogheda Port and the River Boyne, and was originally built in 1853.
20. Visit the Millmount Museum and Martello tower in Drogheda, and soak up the views of the ancient River Boyne from the mound, reputed to be over 3,000 years old.
21. Swim or paddle at one of three Blue Flag beaches along the sea louth scenic seafood trail – Templetown, Port Beach and Clogherhead.
22. Complete your #sealouth passport and pick up your exclusive memento to mark the achievement.
View all 14 sea louth passport stamp collection points here and restaurants participating in the sea louth scenic seafood trail here.
Keywords: sea louth, scenic seafood trail, things to do in Louth, Louth bucket list