County Louth covers an area of only 317 square miles. One theory is that the name is from the Irish, An Lú, meaning "least" - the county is the smallest in Ireland. Alternatively, the county could take its name from the village of Louth (Lughbhadh in Irish, referring to the Celtic god Lugh). It runs northwards from the River Boyne to Carlingford Lough and the border with Northern Ireland.

County Louth was the scene of important events throughout the ages and many chapters of Ireland's history are illustrated by the county's numerous archaeological sites and relics from the past. It has two substantial towns: Dundalk the county town; and the medieval walled town of Drogheda.