I'm on holidays this week and as the sun was shining I decided to go exploring after dropping my son to school.
I decided to find Cuchulainn's Castle as this monument is known locally. While it's named after the legendary Ulster hero, it is more accurately called Byrne's Folly after the 18th century pirate who built a castellated house on top of a 12th century Norman motte.
The motte, in turn, is built on the site of a pre Christian fort call Dún Dealgan, meaning the fort of Dealga, which gave Dundalk its name. The site is said to be the birthplace of Cuchulainn or the Hound of Ulster.
I've lived in Dundalk all my life and somehow I had never visited this
historic site before.
Standing on an elevated site to the west of the town, there are spectacular views of the town and countryside.
I'm already planning another trip, preferably at sunset.