Louth (county)

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COUNTY LOUTH

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The lower section of the shield is intended to represent the rural areas of the county. For this reason it is coloured green. The hand is a the dextera dei or right hand of god, as found on Muirdeach's high Cross at Monasterboice. as on the cross, it is shown on a golden background or nimbus.

The chief stands for the urban areas of the county, namely the two towns of Drogheda and Dundalk. The black colouring of the chief commemorates the Muirtheimne or darkness of the sea - the Old Irish name for the sea off the County Louth coast.
The ships are derived from the arms of Drogheda. They are two in number for the two towns of Drogheda and Dundalk. The crest features a sword as symbol of administration. This stands between two ears of barley, because of the importance of agriculture to the county.

The motto is LUGH SÁIMH-IOLDÁNACH -meaning lugh, master of all arts. Louth takes its name from the God Lugh.