Carlingford Travel Guide

I haven't managed to find out what the relationship between this castle and King John's Castle in Limerick is. I can only assume that it would've been the same King John who commisioned both but what he would've come to the west of Ireland for is a mystery to me.

The castle is rather cool and the way they light it up at night makes for a great landmark.

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After a while, we spotted the band - The Carlingford Pipe Band, and people having their photo taken - Great! Where's my VT flag?
I met Anne Marie at the 2010 London Treasure Hunt, where one of our tasks for bonus points was to get photographed with as many people in uniform as we could - So, I think I must have been back in 'Treasure Hunt Mode', when I leapt in for a pic with this charming man.

There will be more pics of myself and Anne Marie with the VT flag in my Carlingford travelogues.
The members of the Carlingford Pipe Band, were very patient as people posed for photos with them- they even waited while I finally got my flag the right way up.

This pipe band feature in many of Carlingford and areas festivities, and in welcoming dignitaries to the area, such as 2005, when President Mary McAleese opened the Foy Centre.

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I was surprised to see how many 'Leprechaun Hunters' were in front of us, well I guess we weren't in with much chance of finding any prizes?
So, I just decided to enjoy the walk, and spotting the various costumes etc.

Some of the locals were watching the procession from their door steps, or from local hostelleries.
I was really enjoying the atmosphere. There was a real mix of ages taking part-from babes in arms to some who had passed their ' three scores and ten'. Families, groups of friends and solo participants were all heading towards Carlingford Mountain (and the leprechauns)!

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Well, obtaining my hunting license was quite straight forward, I'd expected to have to queue for a long time, but walked straight up to the licensing point.

Now, there WAS a long queue outside the ladies toilets! We decided it would be quicker to walk to one of the many bars in the town. (well there aren't any conveniences on the mountain!)

Soon, we were being instructed that we were all to follow the band, which we could hear in the distance, through the village and up the mountain path.
As it was such a hot day, (quite unexpected for March) we were advised to carry water. (There were stalls providing drinks for a donation to charity on the way up to Carlingford Mountain)

We had time to grab a snack -a cheese, egg and ham pancake from one rather harassed stall holder before we set off. There were quite a few food stalls around The Green, and nearby streets.

Well, at long last we were off - we were bringing up the rear, so couldn't see or hear the band playing.

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All prospectors were instructed to be on Carlingford Green, between 13.30 and 13.45 to obtain a hunting licence.
Apparently Leprechauns collect Gold coins, but by just handing over 5 Euros, to the person manning the stall, you will be given a Leprechaun Prospecting /Hunting license.

"The bearer of the document is entitled to hunt for leprechauns on Carlingford Mountain, in the County of Louth on the 27th March, between the hours of 2 and 4.30 pm.
The bearer may hunt for a maximum of 100 individual ceramic leprechauns, which are located to the left of the European Habitats Directive (EHD) special protected area". This is the area between the Wishing well and Slate Rock, where Flora, fauna, wild animals and Little People (leprechauns) are protected.
The permitted hunting area is marked between 4 flag posts.

On finding a leprechaun, the prize value is indicated on his heel.
Rewards can be claimed on 'The Green' at 5pm.
The total value of rewards is 2,000 Euros

- All prospectors must hold a license that has been officially stamped to authenticate the license.

- Only fully authenticated license holders will be allowed onto the mountains hunting area.

Along with licenses, you could purchase a Leprechaun hat - 3 Euros, or even a full leprechaun costume - Adults 18.95, Children 16.95! T- Shirts 8.95 Euros
A bottle of whiskey (miniature) 5 Euros.
One of the ceramic leprechauns was on the table too (pic 3) - now I'm no expert... heck I'm a novice leprechaun hunter, but....... Isn't this a gnome??? a near cousin of the Irish Little people maybe.

Well there were quite a few wannabe Leprechauns, of all ages and sizes, milling around the Green, even canine hunters, attired in their greenery!

All proceeds from the hunt go to 'Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin and local charities

The National Leprechaun Hunt Carlingford
Cooley Peninsula Tourist Office
Carlingford
Co. Louth
0000
Ireland

Now check this out. Carlingford is so small they don't have a police station. In stead, they have this device called the "Green Man".

If you need to get in touch with the police (Gardai as they're called in Ireland) you walk up to this Green Man and pull the lever. It will then connect you to the police station at the nearby town of Newry. They will then promptly respond and send out an officer to deal with the armed robbery / hostage situation or whatever you're reporting.

Oh well, I'm being silly because Carlingford is such a peaceful little town that it's almost hard to believe that they even need a Green Man, let a lone a police station.

Favorite thing: Carlingford lies right on a beautfiul and rather big lough. I still don't always understand when you call something a lough, when you call it a bay and when you call it a river mouth. Carlingford Lough is all of those but it's called a lough.

At any rate, it's lovely and we sailed up from Dublin to Carlingford and sailed up the lough. It was beautiful.

This picture was taken from the yacht towards the north. So it really actually shows county Down in Northern Ireland and the mountains are the Mountains of Mourne. In the foreground is a lovely area called Greencastle.