Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last week, I raised the Ireland's Ancient East initiative, which is most welcome. My own county of Louth has so much to offer discerning visitors. The land of legends include the medieval town of Carlingford, the Cooley Peninsula, Queen Maeve, Cúchulainn, Ballymascanlan, the Kildemock jumping church at Ardee, Ardee Castle and the Viking village at Annagassan.I remind the Cathaoirleach that in County Louth we pay our due taxes, as do those involved in the tourism industry. As County Louth has a great deal to offer, I call for an urgent debate on how the wee county has been omitted. Looking at the map, I see the route extends from Cork to Newgrange in County Meath. I note that it includes Muiredach's Cross at Monasterboice, which is most beautiful and the tallest remaining Celtic high cross in Ireland. The situation must be rectified and County Louth recognised on the map. The literature must explain to discerning visitors what the county has to offer. I would like to know who compiled it. People are tweeting and I am being mentioned on social media as the cause of my town and county not being included. I am not prepared to stand back and accept that and want someone to explain to me how a county which has so much to offer was left out. It is on the east coast and the natural end point of a route from Cork to Carlingford.