Situated in one of the most historic and scenic parts of Ireland, Dundalk takes its name from Dún Dealgan, meaning Dalga’s fort home, which is closely associated with the famous mythical warrior Cú Chulainn.  Cú Chulainn is just one of the famous Irish legends and epics based in the landscape here, joining Saint Patrick, Fionn MacCumhaill, the Vikings, the Normans and Cromwell in leaving their indelible marks on the local landscape.

Dundalk’s history traces from the Neolithics in 3500BC to the Celts in around 500BC from whom came the legends surrounding the Táin, Cúchulainn and Ferdia which still today attract the interest of both local people and visitors every year.  The arrival of the Normans in the 12th Century saw the fortification of Dundalk with walls built in the style of a Norman fortress. 

In the 17th Century, Lord Limerick created the modern Dundalk of today with the construction of streets leading to the town centre, new roads and the demolition of the old walls and castles.

It was during the 19th Century that the town grew in importance with many industries setting up in the town and surrounding area and the creation of the Great Northern Railway Works and Dundalk on the main Dublin to Belfast railway line. 

     The stunning Roche Castle spectacularly sited on a

     rock outcrop. Built in the 13th century by Lady Rohesia

     De Verdun and her son John.  It was repair in the 15th

     century by Richard Bellew.

The partition of Ireland in 1921 saw Dundalk turn into a border town with the Irish Free State opening customs and immigration facilities at Dundalk and throughout the 20th century it continued as a market town and an administrative, manufacturing and regional centre.  The emergence of the Celtic Tiger investment boom in 2000 brought rapid economic development to Dundalk which has continued to grow today.