Cooley Peninsula, Co. Louth · Ireland
The Táin Way
The 40km loop over the Cooley Peninsula that traces Queen Maeve's mythological invasion route from the Táin Bó Cúailnge — Ireland's oldest epic.
Updated August 23, 2026
📜 Also see the Cúchulainn Story Edition — the same trail with unlockable myth chapters + quest map.
Ireland's most narratively loaded trail. You are literally walking the ground where the country's foundation-myth war was fought — every ridge and gap here appears in a poem older than Beowulf. Slieve Foye is the summit (588m); the descent through Windy Gap into Carlingford closes the loop with the medieval Norman town below you. Base in Carlingford — the pubs at the end of each day are on this website's short-list.
Best months: May-September (bogs get impassable Nov-March)
Trailhead / base town: Carlingford
Nearest airport: DUB
Waymarked: Yes — signposted route
Waypoint map — 10 points
Topographic base map + trail polyline. Click each waypoint for the trail-note.
Elevation profile
Estimated — download the GPX for definitive elevation data on device.
1040m
Peak gain
Profile is an approximation from the trail's published ascent metres + typical mountain-profile shape. Real per-metre elevation available in the GPX download opened on Garmin, Gaia, Komoot, or Apple Watch.
Community reviews
Real hikers, real dates, real conditions. No premium tier — no AllTrails-style paywall.
Loading reviews…
Trail waypoints in order
- 1
Carlingford Village (Start)
Park at the Heritage Centre
- 2
Golyin Pass
First serious ascent
- 3
Slieve Foye Summit (588m)
Highest point — 360° views to Wicklow + Mournes
- 4
The Barnavave Cairn
Bronze Age burial cairn
- 5
Windy Gap
Historic pass between Cooley + Dundalk
- 6
Ravensdale Forest
Mid-trail shelter + water stop
- 7
Ballymakellet
Turn-back toward peninsula east
- 8
Táin Trail Sculpture (Rooskey)
- 9
Riverstown Bridge
- 10
Carlingford Village (Finish)
Back to PJ O'Hare's for oysters
Getting out of Carlingford (DUB)
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.The Táin Way — frequently asked
How long does the The Táin Way take to complete?
2-3 days for the full 40km (1300m total ascent). Difficulty grade: moderate.
Is the The Táin Way waymarked?
Yes — waymarked with yellow arrow + walking-man signs at every junction. You do not need a topo map to complete it, but bring one anyway for weather-diversion decisions.
When is the best time of year for the The Táin Way?
May-September (bogs get impassable Nov-March). Outside these months conditions can turn technical (mud, mist, short daylight) and the value-per-effort drops sharply.
Where should I base myself for the The Táin Way?
Carlingford — the trailhead is here and it's the natural place to sleep before + after. Fly into DUB, pre-book airport transfer, and pick a base hotel with parking if you're doing multiple sections.
Do I need a permit for the The Táin Way?
No permit required — the trail crosses public land, National Parks land, or is a formally waymarked national trail with open access. Respect any farm-stile signs and leave gates as you found them.