LOUTH, a maritime co. of the province of Leinster, in Ireland, bounded n. by Arrnagh and by the lough of Carlingford, e. by the English channel, s. by the Boyne and the co. of Meath, and w. by Meath and Monaghan. Pop. '71, 84,021. Its area is 315 sq.m., or 202,523 acres. In this county 106,071 acres are under tillage, 69,322 pasture, 4,882 in plantations, 21,595 waste, bog, towns, etc., and 653 under water. There is an extensive tillage of wheat, barley, oats, and green crops. Linen also is largely manufactured. The surface is flat, with the exception of the lofty range on the n., which stretches e. and w., and terminates, at a height of 1935 ft., in Carlingford mountain, overlooking the bay of that name. This range consists of a granite nucleus, supporting limestone and clay slate on its flanks. The soil of the level districts is extremely fertile, and eminently suited for wheat-crops. The chief rivers are the Boyne (its boundary on the s.), the Fane, the Glyde, and the Dundalk river. The chief towns are Drogheda, Dundalk, and Ardee. Louth anciently formed portion of the territory of Oriel or Or-gial, but was occupied by De Courcy, and formed into a county by king John in 1210. It was early
apportioned among the military adventurers who accompanied De Courcy and De Lacy; but most of these original settlers have been displaced by later confiscations and appor tionments of territory, especially after 1641 and 1690. It abounds with Celtic antiqui ties, some of which, in the neighborhood of Dundalk, are of great interest. The eccle siastical antiquities are very striking. There are two round towers, at Monaster-boyce and at Dronaiskin. At 3Iellifont are the remains of a beautiful abbey. In Drogheda several ruined abbeys are still visible, as also at Louth and Carlingford. But the most interesting of all the relics of antiquity iu Louth are the celebrated sculptured crosses of Monasterboyce, of which the larger is 18 ft. in height. The county of Loutlt returns two members to the imperial parliament. It is in the Belfast military district, except Drogheda, which is in the Dublin district.