Land of legends
The Cooley Peninsula, where you'll find Carlingford, doesn't just look amazing, it's a landscape steeped in Irish mythology. Slieve Foy is said to be the resting place of the legendary hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill. It was central to the Táin Bó Cuailgne legend from 12th century Irish literature (often translated as The Cattle Raid of Cooley), which tells the epic saga of Queen Medbh of Connacht and the warrior Cú Chulainn. And, as if that's not enough, it's also listed under a European Habitats Directive as a specially protected area for flora, fauna and... leprechauns.
Yep, that's right. The woods nearby are rumoured to be filled with leprechauns – just ask local Leprechaun Whisperer Kevin Woods! We're not quite sure how the EU got involved, but let's roll with it. Slieve Foy is host to an annual leprechaun hunt, and you can even see a leprechaun's suit and bones at local pub, PJ O'Hare's.
Welcome to the little county that could!