Clogherhead is a fishing village in County Louth, Ireland. Located in a natural bay on the East Coast it is bordered by the villages of Annagassan to the north and Termonfeckin to the south. It has a population of 2,145 according to the 2016 Census. It is in the townlands of Clogher and Callystown, about northeast of Drogheda. As a seaside village, its main industries are fishing and farming, and there has been an RNLI lifeboat stationed in the village for over 100 years. The current boat is a Mersey class lifeboat, the RNLB Doris Bleasedale, and is beach-launched.
Name
Historically, the village was known simply as Clogher or Killclogher while the headland was called Clogher Head. Today the headland remains Clogher Head, the village is called Clogherhead and the townland they are in is called Clogher. The headland has a walking trail from the village along steep sea cliffs to the nearby harbour of Port Oriel. At low tide, it is also possible to walk the beach as far as the Boyne Estuary. From the headland and at the harbour there are views of Ireland's east coast from the Mourne and Cooley Mountains in the north as far south as Lambay Island and the Rockabill Lighthouse. The headland is also the site of the Red Mans Cave, where Cromwellian soldiers are reputed to have put to death a number of Catholic Priests during the time of the Cromwellian Wars of 1649.
Public transport
route 189 serves Clogherhead, linking it to Drogheda. Most buses operate via Termonfeckin and Baltray though a few go via Grangebellew and Ballymakenny. Drogheda railway station is approximately 13 km distant.
Economy
Clogherhead is a tourist destination, and the village has a sandy Blue Flag beach which extends from near the lifeboat station and on to the Boyne estuary. The Seafood Rocks festival, a successor to the former Clogherhead Prawn Festival, attracts crowds to the village to partake in the weekend of family oriented events. Port Oriel is a fishing port with a large fleet, and also the harbour provides a platform for onshore sea fishing for anglers. Oriel Sea Salt and Oriel Sea Minerals are produced at Clogherhead and have protected designation of origin.
Amenities
The village has two main beaches. Port Beach in the centre of the village is a Blue Flag beach with the Neptune watersports centre which is run by the local Council. The centre is the location for Celtic Adventures which provides schools and groups with a range of sports and training services including watersports, archery and climbing. In addition, it is the location for the local RNLI lifeboat station which houses a Mersey class lifeboat, the Doris Bleasdale. The other beach is on the north of the village and is known as the 'Big Strand'. Both have bathing facilities with a lifeguard on duty at the village beach during summer months. There are two public houses in the village, Sharkey's Lounge & Bar and Levin's Bar, with accommodating and music at weekends. The village also has a number of restaurants.
Education
Callystown National School has been in "official" existence since 1832. It is located on the north side of the village with access through the estate of John Kirk Park. It now has over 300 pupils and has been extended a number of times to cater for the population growth in the village and an influx of pupils from the surrounding areas.
