Ardee

Ardee Baile Átha Fhirdhia
Town
View north along Market Street, from the battlements of Ardee Castle
Coat of arms
Motto: Na Bris Sith, Na Bris Cairdis Don't Break Peace, Don't Break Friendship
Ardee Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°51′19″N 6°32′16″W / 53.855362°N 6.537895°W / 53.855362; -6.537895Coordinates: 53°51′19″N 6°32′16″W / 53.855362°N 6.537895°W / 53.855362; -6.537895
Country	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	County Louth
Population (2016, Preliminary Results)[1]
• Urban	4,917
• Rural	2,952
Irish Grid Reference	N958906

Ardee (/ˈɑːr.diː/; Irish: Baile Átha Fhirdhia, meaning "townland of Ferdia's ford") is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the N2, N52, and N33 roads. Ardee is on the banks of the River Dee and is equidistant between the county's two biggest towns - approximately 20 km (12 mi) from Dundalk and Drogheda, while it is also close to Slane and Carrickmacross. With a population of over 5,000, Ardee has grown exponentially in recent years – thanks in no small part to its close access to its neighbouring towns and major cities such as Dublin and Belfast via the M1 Motorway.

Originally called Atherdee, its name is derived from the Irish Áth Fhirdia (the Ford of Ferdia), from the mythological four-day battle between Cúchulainn and Ferdia, for the defence of Ulster from Queen Maeve of Connacht. Ferdia fell after four days of battle, and is buried on the southern banks of the river alongside the Riverside Walk. The pair are now depicted by a bronze statue on Bridge Street in the town.

Ardee is situated in the southern part of the ancient territory known as the Plain of Muirheimhne. The town lies along the 15th century Pale frontier between Dundalk and Kells.

The town comprises the townlands or townparks – the greater portion of which is made up of Ardee bog, and a small portion of Dawson's Demesne, which takes in the southeastern quadrant of the town on the northern side of the river Dee.