A Guide To Termonfeckin In Louth: Things To Do, Food, Pubs + Hotels

If you’re planning a trip to Louth, the little village of Termonfeckin is a great, quiet base to explore the many things to do in Louth from.

Termonfeckin (‘Tearmann Feichín’ in Irish) is a pretty village 8km from Drogheda in County Louth.

The village grew around a 7th century monastery founded by St. Feichin and is home to a 16th century castle with some unique features. Its proximity to beaches, historic sites and scenic hikes makes it an excellent place for exploring Louth.

In the guide below, you’ll find everything from things to do in Termonfeckin and the history of the area to where to eat, sleep and drink.

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Termonfeckin

Although a visit to Termonfeckin in Louth is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Termonfeckin is located 8km northeast of Drogheda in southeast County Louth. This quiet village is just inland from the beach and close to the Baltray and Seapoint Golf Links.

2. A quiet base to explore Louth from

Quieter than its neighbouring resorts and historic towns, Termonfeckin is a charming very peaceful base to explore both Louth and Meath counties from. There are several sandy beaches a short drive away at Seapoint and Clogherhead, historic castles and sites and some excellent walks, as you’ll discover below.

About Termonfeckin

Termonfeckin means “Fechin’s church land” and refers to the 7th century monastery founded here by St Feichin of Fore. His feast day is January 20th. The settlement was raided by Vikings in 1013 and then plundered by the Ui-Crichan clan 12 years later.

By the 12th century Termonfeckin had an Augustinian monastery and a convent which flourished until the Reformation in 1540. The area was mainly agricultural but in recent years, tourism has sprung up along the coast and golf courses.

Historic landmarks include Termonfeckin Castle and the 9th century High Cross in the churchyard.

This quiet village has grown to around 1,600 residents and boasts several excellent eateries along with a beautiful beach.

Things to do in Termonfeckin (and nearby)

So, while there are only a handful of things to do in Termonfeckin, there’s endless things to do nearby.

Below, you’ll find where to grab a coffee and a tasty treat in the morning to what to do while you’re in the village.

1. Grab a coffee to-go from Forge Field Farm Shop

Forge Field Farm Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm. Located on Drogheda Road south of Termonfeckin village, it has fresh food, strong coffee, groceries, quality meat and gifts.

It also serves up a fabulous breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. It’s the perfect place to kick-start you’re morning if you’re staying in the village.

2. And then head for a saunter along Termonfeckin Beach

Termonfeckin Beach is a fine spot for an early morning ramble and it’s widely considered to be one of the best beaches in Louth.

The sand here is a joy to stroll along and it’s home to a very weathered shipwreck (on the right above).

Walk north towards Clogherhead Beach, enjoying superb sea views. At low tide, this beach is broad and ideal for a stroll.

3. Step back in time at Termonfeckin Castle

Termonfeckin Castle is arguably more accurately described as a three storey tower house, and it was built in the 15th or 16th century.

This National Monument has an interesting corbel roof and trefoil windows in its sturdy stone walls. It was part of the Primates Castle used by the Bishops of Armagh and damaged in the 1641 Rebellion.

This surviving tower has a vaulted second storey and a spiral staircase. There is a local keyholder with contact detail on the gate for those wishing to see inside.

4. Admire the High Cross at St Fechin’s

One of the oldest surviving relics in the area is the High Cross set in the churchyard at St Fechin’s Church. It dates back to the 9th or 10th century and is all that remains from the monastery.

This 2.2m high stone is carved from siliceous sandstone and shows signs of repair and remounting over the past millennium. It has angels, the crucifixion and other biblical depictions carved on the east and west faces of the cross head but has dragons and Gaelic patterns on the shaft.

5. Tackle the Clogherhead Cliff Walk

The Clogherhead Cliff Walk in Louth starts at the beach car park in nearby Clogherhead and takes 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the route. It traces the sea cliffs south towards Port Oriel headland and harbour which is the largest fishing port in northeast Ireland with many grey seals.

At low tide you can walk along the beach as far as the Boyne Estuary, about 8km away. The peaceful beach walk offers stunning coastal views along with the Mourne Mountains, Cooley Mountains, Lambay Island and Rockabill Lighthouse.

6. Explore Drogheda Town

The historic town of Drogheda is worth visiting with its Georgian architecture and medieval town gate. It sits at the mouth of the River Boyne. In the Middle Ages, Drogheda was an important walled town and St Laurence’s Gate was part of the medieval defences.

St Mary Magdalene’s Tower and Belfry is all that remains of a friary. See the Tholsel (old Town Hall), the Millmount Museum and the two churches, both dedicated to St Peter.

7. Visit Monasterboice

Monasterboice is another monastic site with a round 35 metre-high watchtower and two High Crosses. Explore the site of the 5th century monastery founded by St Buite, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

There’s an old graveyard, sundial and two churches, but the High Crosses steal the attention. Muiredach’s 5.5 metre High Cross is considered the finest in Ireland.

It features carvings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and a copy is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

8. Experience the incredible Brú na Bóinne

Translated as the “mansion of the Boyne”, Brú na Bóinne is a remarkable prehistoric landscape 8km west of Drogheda. The site includes three passage tombs (Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth) which date back to the Stone Age.

Archaeologists have discovered 90 monuments along with megalithic artworks making this a worthy UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Guided tours can be booked at the excellent Visitor Centre which charges a €5 adult admission fee to the exhibition.

Pubs and places to eat in Termonfeckin

So, there’s only a handful of pubs and restaurants in Termonfeckin. However, the places that call it ‘home’ pack a punch, as you’ll discover below.

1. The World Gate Restaurant

Enjoy delicious cuisine at the World Gate Restaurant which blends authentic Irish produce with French expertise from the chef. This Termonfeckin restaurant is bright and unpretentious, putting a firm emphasis on the food. Go for lunch, dinner, a celebratory meal or order a take away – you won’t be disappointed.

2. Seapoint Bar and Restaurant

Located on Seapoint Golf Links, the Seapoint Bar and Restaurant is in the Clubhouse . It has some of the best views in Termonfeckin across the 18th hole to the Boyne Estuary. There’s a friendly bar for casual drinks and snacks. The restaurant serves chef created menus featuring fresh Irish produce.

3. Flynn’s of Termonfeckin

There’s also a bar in Flynn’s, but there’s very little information online about it. On their website, they mention that you can ‘enjoy a drink on the balcony overlooking the river, sheltered beneath the trees from the river bank’, which sounds pretty damn good!

Places to stay around Termonfeckin

So, there’s a handful of places to stay in and around Termonfeckin. Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Flynn’s of Termonfeckin Boutique Hotel

Established in 1979, Flynn’s of Termonfeckin is a historic 19th century waterfront property overlooking the Ballywater River. There’s a cosy bar with woodburner and a classy dining room serving breakfast to residents. Rooms are comfortable and spacious, some with river views. This is one of the more popular hotels in Louth for good reason.

2. Listoke House

Book a stay at Listoke House near Drogheda for a peaceful getaway. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and the surrounding gardens are a haven of greenery and wildlife. It’s a glorious place to relax and recharge. Breakfast includes croissants, homemade bread and cooked options. You’ll definitely want to return!

3. The Bunker Cottage, Baltray

If you prefer a self-catering option, The Bunker’s Cottage at Baltray is just minutes from Termonfeckin. It has 3 bedrooms to sleep 9 and includes two bathrooms and a comfortably furnished living room with sofas and cable TV. There’s also a kitchen with dishwasher and a dining area.

FAQs about Termonfeckin in Louth