Overview
The Táin Way (Irish: Sli na Táin) is a 40.3 km long-distance walking route that loops the dramatic Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, part of Ireland’s Ancient East. Designated as a National Waymarked Trail, it is managed jointly by Louth County Council, Coillte and the Walks Partnership Group. The trail is free to access and is clearly marked with yellow-and-white waymarks that guide walkers through a varied landscape of coastal paths, mixed woodland, upland ridges and quiet rural lanes. Most hikers split the circuit into two days, though it can be tackled as a long single-day challenge or broken into shorter sections for a more relaxed pace.
The Legend & History
The trail takes its name from the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), one of the foundational epics of early Irish literature. According to the saga, Queen Maeve of Connacht set out from her palace at Rathcroghan to capture the legendary Brown Bull of Cooley, sparking a confrontation with the warrior Cú Chulainn across the peninsula’s rugged terrain. The modern route follows a short stretch of Queen Maeve’s original march, a journey now celebrated each June during the Táin March Festival, which traces the full historical route from Ardee to Carlingford.
Trail-designer J. B. Malone devised the modern loop, which was officially opened on 21 August 1986 by Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry Liam Kavanagh. A 2010 review of Ireland’s National Waymarked Trails noted strong day-walker popularity and recommended additional looped spurs and the rerouting of a few short tarred-road sections. Today, Fáilte Ireland is leading a broader reimagining of the Táin Trail network, aiming to integrate walking, cycling and driving experiences across Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon to create an internationally recognised heritage route.
The Route: What to Expect
The official start and finish is Carlingford, a medieval walled town overlooking Carlingford Lough. From here, the trail climbs the northern slopes of Slieve Foy, the highest peak in the county, before dipping into the Clermont Pass beneath the ancient Clermont Carn. The path then reaches the quiet village of Ravensdale, a natural halfway point where walkers can rest and take in traditional rural scenery.
Continuing onward, the route follows a high ridge between Carnawaddy and Castle Mountain, offering sweeping panoramas across the Cooley Mountains and, on clear days, the Mournes and beyond. The final leg descends along the southern flank of Slieve Foy, threading through forest tracks and coastal paths before returning to Carlingford. In total, the loop involves around 1,000–1,200 m of ascent and delivers a steady mix of open moorland, sheltered woodland and shoreline views.
Trail Variations & Options
- Full loop (40.3 km) – Typically completed over two days, with an overnight stop in Carlingford or Ravensdale.
- Ravensdale → Omeath (13 km) – A popular 4–5 hour section frequently highlighted by walking guides. It passes through ancient woodland, skirts the 5,000-year-old Clermont Cairn and follows the historic Cadger’s Pad with dramatic coastal drop-offs.
- Carlingford → Ravensdale (~15 km) – A manageable day walk ideal for families or those testing their fitness before committing to the full circuit.
- Alternative trailheads – Join at Black Mountain (where the trail intersects the Ulster Way), start at Clermont Bridge via Omeath, or park at the Lumpers Pub in Ravensdale. Both alternative starts feed cleanly into the main loop and finish in Carlingford.
For navigation, the OSI Discovery Series Sheet 36 is essential. EastWest Mapping also publishes a dedicated Táin Way Map Guide (1:25 000), while the ActiveME and HiiKER apps offer downloadable GPX files and live tracking.
Wildlife & Landscape
The Cooley Peninsula supports a rich mix of habitats. Walkers frequently spot Irish hares darting across the heathland around Slieve Foy, while the open upland plateaux are important nesting ground for the hen harrier, a protected bird of prey. Summer brings carpets of purple heather, yellow gorse and wild strawberries to the higher slopes. Along the coastal sections, keep an eye out for grey seals basking on rocky outcrops, with dolphins occasionally visible in the lough.
The trail also crosses a landscape layered with prehistoric archaeology. Interpretive panels point out Bronze-Age cairns, passage graves and portal tombs that have shaped the peninsula for millennia. Many of these monuments sit alongside ancient field boundaries, offering a quiet reminder of the region’s long agricultural history.
Access, Transport & Practical Info
- By car – Carlingford is approximately a one-hour drive from Dublin (M1 → N2) and Belfast. Free street parking is available in the town centre, and the Lumpers Pub car-park in Ravensdale charges a small daily fee (showers available).
- Public transport – Bus Éireann operates several daily services from Dublin and Dundalk to Carlingford. The nearest rail station is Dundalk, with onward bus connections to the peninsula.
- Dog policy – Dogs are not permitted on the Táin Way due to livestock grazing across much of the route.
- Navigation & safety – Mobile signal drops on the higher ridges, so carry a paper map and fully charged phone. Weather changes rapidly on Slieve Foy; waterproof layers, sturdy boots and a mid-layer are essential year-round.
- Leave No Trace – Pack out all litter, stay on marked paths, close gates behind you and give farm animals plenty of space.
Accommodation & Facilities
Carlingford provides a wide range of overnight options, from family B&Bs to independent hotels such as McKevitt’s Hotel and The Red Lion. For a more rustic base, the Lumpers Pub in Ravensdale offers a secure car-park, basic showers and a welcoming bar, making it a practical stop for the Ravensdale-Omeath section.
Food and drink are plentiful in Carlingford. Try locally harvested oysters, a traditional Irish stew, or a pint in one of the historic pubs lining the narrow medieval streets. Most cafes and eateries open from 10:00 am and close by 10:00 pm, though hours can reduce in winter. If your visit coincides with the Carlingford Oyster Festival in August, book accommodation well ahead of time, as the town fills quickly with visitors attending the food and music celebrations.
Check the latest weather forecast and bus timetables before heading out, and consider downloading your GPX track offline to avoid navigation gaps on the higher slopes.