Ardee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ardee
Baile Átha Fhirdhia
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Town
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View north along Market Street,
from the battlements of Ardee Castle, 1997 |
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| Motto(s):
Na Bris Sith, Na Bris Cairdis
Don't Break Peace, Don't Break Friendship |
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 Ardee
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland | |
| Province | Leinster | |
| County | County Louth | |
| Dáil Éireann | Louth | |
| EU Parliament | Midlands–North-West | |
| Population
(2016)
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4,928 | |
| Time zone | UTC±0 (WET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST) | |
| Eircode routing key |
A92
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| Telephone area code | +353(0)41 | |
| Irish Grid Reference | N958906 | |
Ardee (pronounced AR-dee) is a lively town in County Louth, Ireland. Its Irish name is Baile Átha Fhirdhia, which means "the Ford of Ferdia". This name comes from an old legend about a brave warrior. Ardee is located where three main roads meet: the N2, N52, and N33.
The town sits by the River Dee. It's about 20 kilometers from both Dundalk and Drogheda, which are two of the biggest towns in the county. Ardee has grown quite a bit over the years. Between 1996 and 2016, its population increased by about 30%, reaching nearly 5,000 people.
Contents
Exploring Ardee's Past
How Ardee Got Its Name
Ardee was first called Atherdee. Its name, Áth Fhirdia, comes from an amazing four-day battle. This fight was between the legendary hero Cúchulainn and Ferdia. They battled to protect Ulster from Queen Maeve of Connacht. Legend says Ferdia was defeated and is buried near the river. You can see a bronze statue of Cúchulainn and Ferdia on Bridge Street in the town. The River Dee was originally called An Níth. It later took on the "Dee" part from the town's name in English.
Ardee is a great example of a "walled town" from the Middle Ages. Many such towns can be found across Ireland. Ardee is located in the southern part of an old area called the Plain of Muirheimhne. It also sits along the "Pale frontier" from the 15th century, which was a border between English-controlled land and Irish kingdoms.
Old Schools in Ardee
In the 17th century, a kind person named Erasmus Smith set up a special fund. This fund helped create a boys' school in 1806 and a girls' school in 1817. Both Protestant and Catholic children could attend these schools. By 1858, the boys' and girls' schools joined together. The school became part of the National School system in 1954. It is now known as Saint Mary's Church of Ireland National School.
How Ardee is Governed
Ardee is part of the Louth County Council. This council helps manage the local area. Six members of the council are elected from the Ardee area. They form the Ardee Municipal District.
Media and News
If you want to know what's happening in Ardee, you can read the Mid-Louth Independent newspaper. It's a local edition of the Drogheda Independent and comes out every week. The Dundalk Democrat also covers news from Ardee and nearby areas.
For radio, LMFM Radio is the local station. It covers Ardee and other parts of Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and North Dublin.
Getting Around Ardee
Ardee used to have its own train station, Ardee railway station. It opened in 1896 and connected to the main line between Belfast and Dublin. Passenger trains stopped running in 1934. The line was used for freight until 1976. Today, much of the old railway path is a walking trail.
The town's main roads are the N2, which goes right through Ardee, and the M1 motorway, which is connected by the N33 bypass. The N52 road also passes through Ardee. This road connects Limerick to Belfast without going near Dublin.
Places of Worship
Ardee is part of the Roman Catholic parish of Ardee and Collon. This parish is in the Archdiocese of Armagh.
In 2021, a group called the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest bought an old convent building in Ardee. Their nuns, the Sisters Adorers, now use it.
Culture and Fun in Ardee
Amazing Old Buildings
Ardee Castle
Ardee is known for its medieval buildings and old street layout. Ardee Castle is the biggest fortified tower house in Ireland. It was built around the 15th century. For a long time, it was used as a prison. Later, it became Ardee's courthouse until 2006.
Chantry College
"Chantry College" was built before 1487. It has a tall, four-story tower with a two-story hall next to it. Even though it looks strong, it was not a military building. It was used for religious purposes.
Hatch's Castle
Hatch's Castle was given to the Hatch family by Oliver Cromwell. It's still a private family home today and also a bed and breakfast. This castle is older than Ardee Castle, built in the late 14th century. It was updated in the 1800s with bigger windows.
The Jumping Church of Kildemock
The Jumping Church of Kildemock is a famous mystery in Ardee! Legend says that in 1715, a non-Christian person was buried inside the church walls. That night, the church wall supposedly "jumped" three feet to move his grave outside the holy ground.
A sign at the site explains: "This wall by its pitch, tilt and position can be seen to have moved three feet from its foundation. Contemporary accounts mention a severe storm in 1715 when the wall was lifted and deposited as it now stands but local tradition states that the wall jumped inwards to exclude the grave of an excommunicated person." Today, only a small ruin remains, with the wall that mysteriously moved.
Nativity of Our Lady Church
This is a modern Roman Catholic church built in 1974. It replaced an older church from 1829. The church has colorful windows that make the inside look bright.
Saint Mary's Church
Saint Mary's Church was built in the early 1800s on the site of an even older church. Parts of a tower from the previous church were kept. People have been worshipping at this spot for at least 800 years!
Arts and Festivals
The Ardee Concert Band started in 1860 and is one of the oldest concert bands in Ireland.
Ardee celebrates Saint Patrick's Day every year on March 17 with a parade. The first parade was in 1962!
Since 2004, Ardee has hosted the Ardee Baroque Festival. This festival features performances by groups like the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
Education in Ardee
Ardee has one secondary school, Ardee Community School, which opened in 1974. It was formed by combining three older schools. In 2019, about 890 students attended the school.
There are also several primary schools in Ardee:
- Monastery Boys National School
- Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire Girls School
- Ardee Educate Together (a multi-cultural school for both boys and girls)
- Ballapousta National School (just outside town)
Sports in Ardee
Football (Soccer)
Ardee has two soccer clubs: Square United and Ardee Celtic. Both teams have junior sections for younger players up to age 18.
Gaelic Games (GAA)
Ardee St Marys is the main GAA team in Ardee. They are known as "the Blues." They have won the Louth Senior Football Championship 12 times! Their first win was in 1914, and their most recent was in 2023.
There are also five other GAA teams nearby: Hunterstown Rovers, Westerns GFC, John Mitchels, Sean McDermotts, and Stabannon Parnells.
Rugby
Ardee's rugby club, Ardee Rugby Club, has senior and junior teams. In 2015, the club won the McGee Cup.
Other Sports
- Ardee and District Athletic Club started in 1992.
- Ardee Cycling Club, formed in 2010, organizes bike rides for different skill levels. They also do charity cycles.
Twin Town
Ardee has a "twin town" in Italy:
Nettuno, Italy
People from Ardee
- Ross Gaynor, a former professional footballer
- Kian Leavy, a professional footballer
- Mairead McGuinness, who attended secondary school in Ardee
- Dermot O'Brien, a musician
- Fergal Reilly, a film maker
Images for kids
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View north along Market Street, from the battlements of Ardee Castle, 1997
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Town Crest
