County Louth – named after Lugh and home of the Táin
County Louth takes its name from the village of Louth, itself named after Lugh, a god of the ancient Irish. The county is steeped in myth and legend and is the setting for part of the great epic Táin Bó Cúailnge, which still shapes its sense of identity today.
Later, Vikings left their mark, as the name Carlingford Lough shows, and in the 9th century they set up a longphort at Annagassan. At that time Louth was divided into three sub-kingdoms, before becoming part of the O'Carroll kingdom of Airgíalla. Today Louth is Ireland's smallest county by area but full of history, with lively towns and a beautiful coastline. Have a Louth story or legend? Share it with the community!