CASTLE BELLINGHAM, 7 m. S. of Dundalk, is seated on an extensive but shallow bay; pleasant village, with good Inn. Good station for the sportsman, plenty of aquatic wild fowl. See at Greenmount, curious earth-works on summit of hill, with a tumulus: prospect extensive.
DROGHEDA, 18 m. S. of Dundalk, (partly in Louth, partly in Eastmeath, being divided by the Boyne) is also a county of itself. Here are 9 Catholic chapels, 2 Friaries, 2 Nunneries, and 1 Ch. (St. Peter's) elegantly finished, near which, in churchyard, see remains of ancient castle. The view on approaching the town is beautiful; house of the Catholic primate a striking object. Harbour good; trade extensive; supply of fish excellent. See Tholsel, a handsome edifice. St. Mary's, now a mere mass of ruins, with the exception of a roofed chapel, which is used for divine service; but it deserves notice for a lofty arch at the S. end, which marks the former splendour of the edifice. Bevrac Mount, a large artificial tumulus, stands about 600 yards distant. It appears to have been one of the large Raths raised in ancient times. The town is interesting for the part it bore in the Irish wars; and sustained a memorable siege in Cromwell's time. Near it is a thin blue stone, shaped like the bottom of a boat, on which many of the Catholics believe St. Dennis sailed over to France. Ascend the Boyne 2 m., and visit the field of battle where William conquered, and where Schomberg fell, also Walker the patriotic defender of Derry. The view of the scene from a rising ground, looking down upon it, is extremely fine. Mark the vale losing itself amidst bold acclivities; on the right the Obelisk on a rising ground, a noble pillar and judiciously placed. Let the tourist place himself at its foot, and recall the events of past times! Then proceed further 9 m. W. of Drogheda, where is a beautiful wooded glen celebrated as the route through which King William's army marched to the ford in the Boyne water on the eventful 1st of July, 1690. The scenery around is highly interesting. Collon village, 6 m. distant, must not be omitted by the statistical tourist, as an instance of what can be done in Ireland by modern improvement. The exertions of Mr. Foster, in this place, have been well appreciated by Mr. Wakefield, who describes it as delightfully situated amongst hills, whilst the extensive plantations of its benevolent founder are conspicuous in every direction for many miles. Mr. W. adds, that this domain commands a prospect of singular magnificence; the immediate foreground, looking N.E., consists of a declivity of tilled land bordered on each side by beautiful plantations; and the eye, then passing over some miles of country, catches a view of Carlingford-bay, forming a watery expanse of great extent, and of the coast stretching to a considerable distance, with the mountains surrounding the bay, and those of Mourne, still higher, and which have a blacker appearance. The blue colour of the bay, contrasted with the yellow tint of the sandy beach by which it is bordered, the Carlingford mountains in the vicinity, and the more elevated dusky ones of Mourne, stretching inland in the form of an immense amphitheatre, form, in Mr. W's opinion, a spectacle grand and magnificent. The village, when he visited it, consisted of about one hundred neat houses, all whitewashed; with a Ch. surrounded by trees, and a river running through it, over which there is a stone bridge; the whole much enlivened by a bleaching-green on its banks. All this, together with a cotton manufactory, has been the labour of 40 years. It is highly worthy of notice, and is easily accessible by the good roads in its vicinity. The botanist will receive much pleasure from the inspection of the very fine collection of indigenous and exotic shrubs which Mr. Foster has collected round his comfortable mansion. See also _Curwen's Letters_, vol. ii. p. 292. Observe the Ch. tower, of chaste Gothic architecture; the curious winter garden. In a romantic valley, 5 m. W. from Drogheda and about 1-1/2 m. from the banks of the Boyne, stand the once massy but now dilapidated ruins of Mellifont Abbey, founded for Cistertian monks, by O'Carrol prince of Uriel, in the 12th century, and a spot of great interest in the history of the English invasion of Ireland; for here died, and now lies interred, Dervorgilla, daughter of O'Malaghlin, king of Meath, a second Helen, who being married to Tigernach O'Rourke prince of Brefinny, was basely ravished by Mac Murrogh king of Leinster, who was in consequence forced to fly from his dominions, and sought that succour from Henry II. which led to the subjugation of the island.