Dundalk to Carlingford by Coach or Minibus
Carlingford is about 25 minutes from Dundalk on the far side of the Cooley Peninsula, a medieval village on the shore of Carlingford Lough. Groups go for lunch, the castle, an adventure day or the greenway. The road there is easy; the village streets are not built for coaches.
Journey
- Dundalk to Carlingford
- Approximately 25 mins
- Serving Dundalk
About Carlingford
- A perfectly preserved medieval village beneath Slieve Foye, with King John's Castle, cobbled lanes and an oyster-rich lough.
- Nearest base: Dundalk
The road round the bay
The coach picks up the R173 at the Ballymascanlon roundabout, just north of Dundalk where the M1 and N52 meet. The road runs east along the northern shore of Dundalk Bay to The Bush, then turns north through Grange to Carlingford. It is a regional road, two-way and rural, with farm traffic and cyclists in summer, so a coach keeps a steady pace rather than a fast one.
In the village
Carlingford's centre is a tight grid of medieval lanes around the Tholsel gate, the Mint and Taaffe's Castle, with King John's Castle above the harbour. A full-size coach cannot thread those lanes, and a midi coach or minibus copes better. Louth County Council has planned a new car park with bus set-down bays at the Liberties, about 550 metres from the centre. Until your driver confirms what is open, assume the group is set down at the edge of the village and walks in.
The greenway to Omeath
The Carlingford Lough Greenway follows the old railway line along the shore from Carlingford to Omeath, about six kilometres. It is flat and well signed, which makes it a good walk or cycle for school and family groups. The simplest plan is to walk one way and have the coach collect the group at Omeath, a short drive back along the R173.
Can a 53-seat coach get into Carlingford?
It can reach the edge of the village but not the medieval lanes. For groups who want to be set down close to a restaurant, a smaller vehicle is the better choice.
Is August busier?
Yes. The Carlingford Oyster Festival is usually held in August and fills the village. Book early and allow extra time for the set-down.
Can we walk the greenway and be picked up?
Yes. Tell the operator which end you start from and roughly when you expect to finish, and the coach meets you at the other end.
Popular Transfers from Dundalk
Plan the Trip
Get a quote
Send the date, the passenger count and any timed entries you already hold. We come back with a fixed price for Dundalk to Carlingford.