Smarmore Castle is one of Ireland's 20 unforgettable castles according to The Times

Smarmore Castle was featured as one of the top 20 unforgettable castles in Ireland in last Saturday's edition of the Times Travel section (July 31st).

Smarmore came in at number eighteen in the listing compiled by the prestigious London newspaper. In the article Georgina Wilson wrote "you don't have to travel far to live like a king. Ireland is full of romantic places to stay." She went on "Smarmore Castle is in a county steeped in history, myths and legends. It is close to Slane Castle and Kells Heritage Centre, and with only five bedrooms it offers a more intimate experience. Built in 1320, the castle was owned by one family until the 1980s. Now a boutique hotel, it features an Italian restaurant, gym, pool, sauna, steam room and massage centre. There is no bar but guests may bring their own alcohol"

More details are available on the Times Online website but readers must subscribe in order to view this section

Turfman Festival starts today

The 2nd Turfman Festival starts today (Friday July 30) in Ardee with a number of events including a golf competition, a cookery exhibition and the opening of a Floral Festival in St Mary’s Church to celebrate 40th anniversary of Ardee Flower Club.

At 9 pm all the pubs in town will take part in a simultaneously Pub Quiz. Full details can be downloaded from the festival brochure

Vintage Day at Ballapousta this Sunday

THE Ashville Vintage Club is holding a working vintage day this Sunday 1 August at Ballapousta.

Attractions include threshing, vintage tractor and car display, sheep racing, dog show, home baking and refreshments, live music, children's entertainment, novelty events and much more.

Admission for adults is 10 Euros, children free of charge. Car par where horse ploughing, tractor ploughing, binding, vintage combining and baling will be demonstrated.

Give your canine friend a wash, cut and blowdry before he/she appears in the dog show where prizes will be awarded for the nicest pooch. There will be plenty more to keep the children entertained with bouncy castles, bucking bull, face painting, animal farm and other novelty events.

There will be live music aplenty with something to suit all tastes while those who feel the urge to dance can thread the boards if the mood takes them.

The food stall plays a huge role on a day like this as it is a place to congregate and chat as you watch the activities over a cup of tea. Home baking-cooking will be the order of the day but chips and ice-cream will also be available.

Remember all proceeds will be donated to a good cause.

More details from DundalkDemocrat.ie

Exploring Louth, Meath and Boyne Valley article

We wrote an article about the top 10 places to visit in the Louth/Meath region and are delighted that Michele Erdvig has featured it on her blog. Michele is a travel consultant and writer based in Atlanta Georgia who has specialised in all things to do with travel to Ireland for the past 37 years. She has extensive industry experience and is one of Tourism Ireland's certified Ireland experts.

Her website Irelandyes is a mine of information and essential guide to anyone thinking of taking a trip to Ireland. We have built up a successful relationship with her over the past few years and have welcomed many of her clients here to the castle. We offer a 10% reduction on our normal rates to anyone who books as a result of Michele's recommendation.

Ardee Turfman Festival 2010

Ardee town will be buzzing over the August bank holiday weekend as the annual Turfman festival gets in full swing. The festival starts on Friday night (July 30^th) and has a varied programme of events ranging from sport to culture. It gets its name from the famous Irish folk song “the Turfman from Ardee”.

If you are interested in being active you might consider taking part in a 10km road race/fun run around the town or a treasure hunt. Other sporting related events include a Gaelic seven-a-side blitz, a soccer blitz, a charity rugby match, martial arts and athletics.

Less active options include a Farmers' Market, an art exhibit, a cookery demonstration, a display by Dundalk military barracks, a busking competition, Battle of the Bands and pub quizzes. If you bring your family to stay at Smarmore Castle over the course of festival week you can avail of a great free offer for children under 12.

Details on events can by found at the Festival website.

No replay for Louth

Given the similarities with the "Hand of Henry" incident in Paris and the goal that wasn't on Sunday at Croke park it was sort of appropriate that most people learned about Louth's fate yesterday on Bastille day.

Clogherhead Prawn Festival this weekend

The summer festival season is in full swing and this weekend Clogherhead holds three days of events in the village, on the beach and in the sea. The schedule of events has a fun theme running through it with plenty to keep all members of the family entertained - everything from Tall ships at the pier to the final of the Prawn Idol talent show.
Cloghjerhead is only 45 minutes drive from Smarmore Castle so could be easily fitted into your schedule if you are staying here at the weekend.