Dundalk and the surrounding area is a haven for water activity enthusiasts boasting a range of beautiful beaches, marinas and adventure centres offering a wide variety of water-sports and activities.

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is one of the fastest growing watersports in Ireland and there are many locations around Dundalk where you can go kitesurfing. Beaches like Blackrock, Annagassan, Port, Salterstown and Templetown are all great beaches for kiting and are all close to Dundalk. This spectular sport is also a great spectator sport and you can often view it on the main promenade in Blackrock.

Sailing

The County Louth coastline and Dundalk’s close proximity to Carlingford Lough make it an ideal base for sailors.  With unspoilt scenery and excellent mooring facilities at Carlingford Marina, both experienced sailors and those learning to sail are well-catered for.  Visitors can charter a yacht and sail out onto the lough to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Cooley Peninsula and the Mourne Mountains on the other side of the lough or alternatively take out a jet-ski for a more exhilarating ride! 


Dundalk & Carlingford Sailing Club is located on the shores of Carlingford Lough and provides sailing lessons and a full programme of events in season.  The club also has restaurant and bar. Carlingford Sailing School operates two ocean-going cruisers for yacht chartering and and has been offering sailing tuition for over ten years. The school combines tuition with excellent food and comfortable accommodation on board the school’s 36 foot Elan yachts and there are courses to suit all levels.

Blue Flag Beaches
County Louth has over 70km of coastline with several Blue flag sandy beaches, some offering activities and watersports. Close to Dundalk are Blackrock beach, Port beach and Temple Town beach.

Angling

Dundalk is one of the main angling centres in County Louth and there are a number of other well-established angling centres and a host of excellent fishing venues in the surrounding area. 

Game angling for brown trout, salmon and seatrout can be found on a number of rivers including the Dee, Glyde, Fane, Castletown, Ballymascanlon and Boyne – all within easy reach from Dundalk.

Sea angling is available along the coastline and there are fishing stations at Carlingford, Greenore, Blackrock, Ballagan, Templetown, Glyes Quay, Annagassan, Dunany and Port Oriel.  All of these areas offer shore, rock and boat fishing and there are numerous species to be found including tope, for which Carlingford Lough holds the Irish record at 66 ½ lbs.

Course angling is also available on part of the Boyne Canal at Drogheda and at Stephenstown Pond, Knockbridge, Dundalk. 

Stephenstown Pond
The pond provides a specialist and well-developed carp fishery and also provides facilities for disabled anglers. 

List of useful contacts

Crusing on Carlingford Lough & Deep Sea Fishing
Contact: Oliver Finnegan Tel: +44 (0) 28 3026 4906

River Fane & Tributaries
Contact: Dundalk Salmon Anglers Tel: +353 (0) 42 933 5698

Dundalk Brown Trout
Contact: Angler’s Association Tel: +353 (0) 42 933 5698

Sea Angling, Dundalk Bay
Contact: Pat Rankin Tel: +353 (0) 42 933 9695

River Dee & Glyde
Contact: Bellingham Castle Hotel, Castlebellingham Tel: +353 (0) 42 937 2176

River Boyne (Salmon)
For Course Fishing
Contact: Rose Hall Reservoir, Barnattin for Course Fishing Tel: +353 (0) 41 983 4078

For Brown Trout & Rainbow Trout Fishing (Fly only)
Contact: Killineer Reservoirs Tel: +353 (0) 42 984 5442