Carlingford, Louth – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

The town of Carlingford lies in the Cooley Mountains on the shores of Carlingford Lough, northern County Louth. Sharing the Cooley Peninsula with the villages of Greenore and Omeath, its medieval beginnings are clearly visible within its narrow streets. A lively pub scene has thrust the town into mainstream popularity, particularly as a destination for hen and stag parties. Is there more to this picturesque town than its famed nightlife?

Read on to find out!

Public Transport: There have been no trains here since the closure of Carlingford Railway Station in 1952.

Bus Eireann route 161 offers a regular daily service from Dundalk to Newry with stops in Greenore, Carlingford and Omeath on route. It takes 45 minutes to get here from Dundalk and costs just €3.90 for an adult day return. Anyone hoping to travel from Dublin or Belfast must first travel to Dundalk by bus or by train and then catch this route 161 bus.

Most of the restaurants here use local ingredients like the famous Carlingford oyster, so seafood is definitely the way to go! The Kingfisher Bistro serves up delicious local cuisine in huge portions. The menu is admittedly limited and quite pricey, but the fish of the day is always tasty!

If pub grub is more your speed then check out the Carlingford Arms in the centre of town. They serve up gorgeous fresh food 7 days a week in a beautiful and homely pub setting. Arrive on a Friday from 4pm till 9:30pm to avail of the excellent steak night, when you can grab two fabulous steaks for just €40!

For a treat on a hot day head to Sweet Sundaes in the middle of the town for some delicious ice-cream. We love eating one of their cones while strolling around town.

Hot Beverages: Being a tiny town, great cafés are not plentiful. The Liberty Café was an excellent option so we were devastated when it shut its doors.

Luckily Artebrano Café, down Old Quay Lane, has filled the void nicely. Visually pleasing and open till 5pm each day, this gem serves sensational brews! The sweet treats are delicious and we loved the general atmosphere around the place. The staff are super friendly and love to see patrons bringing their dogs along for the visit.

Alcohol: The town boasts a famously strong pub game. Fun-lovers should head to Taaffe’s Castle Bar, a medieval styled pub with two beer gardens that each provide a different vibe. Live bands regularly grace both the interior and the beer garden, and if you’re lucky you might even catch a BBQ outside! Downstairs may be home to a quaint bar, but head upstairs at the weekend to enjoy the madness of its modern disco!

The centrally located Ma Baker’s is a superb traditional pub that comes complete with live music, a beer garden and wonderful staff. The food is gorgeous and they show all of the big sporting events on big screens throughout the pub, although it’s a little cramped so get in early! Signs advertise it as a gin and cocktail bar but they don’t seem to actually serve cocktails on most nights unfortunately.

The town and the surrounding area are full of beautiful places to spend a warm summer’s day.

There’s no beach in the town itself but the short 20-minute drive to the blue flag Templetown Beach is well worth the trip. A lifeguard is on duty during the summer, making it an excellent place for children to enjoy a paddle and there are toilets available. During the colder seasons it makes a gorgeous scene for an evening stroll.

The area offers an idyllic setting for a trek. A quick ramble through the town gives splendid views of medieval buildings such as the famous Tholsel on the aptly named Tholsel Street.

For truly immense views take on the Slieve Foye Loop which takes you from the town up the Slieve Foye mountain. Begin at the tourist office and follow the blue arrows along the way, traversing stunning forest and mountain paths, taking in breathtaking views of the town and Carlingford Lough. The loop is 9km long, takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to complete and gets boggy in parts, so it’s certainly not for the faint hearted. Walkers can also tackle the Carlingford to Omeath Greenway which takes you along the lough via the old railway line. The views out towards Warrenpoint are fantastic.

Slieve Foye Loop Visitor’s Information

This is a town of many different faces. During the summer families flock to it and the sound of children’s laughter echoes through the air. The atmosphere is peaceful and happy as people unwind and enjoy themselves at playgrounds, or soak up the medieval views in the town centre.

Midweek the town is quieter, making it the perfect time to visit if you want to enjoy some pints in a brilliant traditional Irish pub. Warm days offer the chance to bring your dog along and make use of the many beautiful beer gardens. Colder days are a great excuse to sit by glowing fires and tell stories, while you knock back a creamy Guinness.

The weekends however are a different story, as the town becomes much less family orientated. As with any town that is popular with hens and stags, it can get rowdy! If it’s a party that you are looking for then this is definitely the place for you. The pubs fill up with party goers and the disco bars offer a tremendous night’s craic!

Since 1190 this castle has stood menacingly overlooking the lough harbour. It is believed to have been commissioned by Hugh de Lacy, before being seized by King John of England in the 13th century. This is why it is also known as King John’s Castle. William of Orange once accommodated his soldiers there after the infamous Battle of the Boyne.

During the summer months you can do an hour-long guided tour of the castle for just €8.50 each. The tour is excellent value for money but, whether you do it or not, the outer grounds are still worth visiting for the lovely views.

Ireland’s highest rated adventure centre offers a brilliant family experience to satisfy all ages. Activities range from laser combat and rock climbing to water sports, like kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. All of the adventures are led by a fantastic team of likeable leaders and you will find a package to suit any kind of trip. Prices vary, with activities such as stand-up paddleboarding starting at €45 each.

While the Woodland and Seasports sites are tremendous fun, our unquestionable favourite is the Skypark. Featuring over 30 obstacles and 7 zip wires (up to 460 feet long), Skypark is a must-visit for adrenaline junkies of all ages!

Visit the Carlingford Adventure Centre Website

Visit the Skypark Website

Check out the food and drink section above to find the best spots to visit on an unforgettable pub crawl. Ma Baker’s and Taaffe’s Bar are our personal favourites. Just be sure to arrive early before the weekend wave of hen and stag parties fill every bar!

PJ O’Hare’s in the centre of the town is another popular haunt with a wonderful beer garden for sunny days. You can bring your dog along to soak in the atmosphere while you enjoy a pint of Guinness! On colder evenings warm yourself beside the cozy fire, in a quieter setting than the aforementioned Taaffe’s. The lounge bar opens at the weekends and broadcasts all of the main sporting events on a large screen. PJ O’Hare’s is a great place to grab some fresh seafood too if you are feeling peckish.

Take a 10-minute spin drive southwest to find the Carlingford Brewing Company. The 90-minute guided tour, hosted by the owner of the brewery, takes you through the brewing process and some of the folklore of the town. Of course no brewery tour would be complete without sampling some of the flavourful craft beer that is brewed here.

The onsite bar has an amazing vibe aided by live music and a glowing fire. Tours are currently only available on Saturdays so be sure to book in advance, as spaces are at a premium.

Visit the Carlingford Brewing Company Website