Drogheda - Things To Do
Drogheda is a port town in County Louth, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea.
As the River Boyne divides the dioceses of Armagh and Meath, Drogheda was founded as two separate towns, Drogheda-in-Meath (for which a charter was granted in 1194) and Drogheda-in-Oriel (or 'Uriel') as County Louth was then known. In 1412 these two towns were united and Drogheda became a 'County Corporate', styled as 'the County of the Town of Drogheda'. Drogheda continued as a County Borough until the setting up of County Councils, through the enactment of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, which saw all of Drogheda, including a large area south of the Boyne, become part of an extended County Louth. With the passing of the County of Louth and Borough of Drogheda (Boundaries) Provisional Order, 1976, County Louth again grew larger at the expense of County Meath. The boundary was further altered in 1994 by the Local Government (Boundaries) (Town Elections) Regulations 1994. The 2007–2013 Meath County Development Plan recognises the Meath environs of Drogheda as a primary growth centre on a par with Navan.
In recent years Drogheda's economy has diversified from its traditional industries, with an increasing number of people employed in the retail, services and technology sectors. The town also has a community of independent artists and musicians who have been looking to the local economy rather than Dublin for employment.
Drogheda has a hinterland of 70,000+ within a 15 km/10 mile radius covering county Louth and county Meath, making it the largest town in Ireland.
Neolithic Archaeology
Drogheda is situated in an area with an abundance of archaeological monuments dating from the Neolithic period onwards. The large Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth are probably the best known, however, the remarkable density of archaeological sites of the prehistoric and Early Christian periods uncovered in recent years in the course of development, notably during construction of the Northern Motorway: Gormanston to Monasterboice, or 'Drogheda Bypass', have shown that the hinterland of Drogheda has been a settled landscape for millennia.
Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was a battle in 1690 between the Catholic James II and the Protestant William III of England and II of Scotland, who, with his wife, Mary II (his cousin and James' daughter), had overthrown James in England in 1688. The battle took place at the River Boyne near the town of Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland, and resulted in a victory for William. This turned the tide in James's failed attempt to regain the British crown and ultimately aided in ensuring the continued Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland.
The battle took place on 1 July 1690 in the old style (Julian) calendar. This was equivalent to 11 July in the new style (Gregorian) calendar, although today its commemoration is held on 12 July, on which the decisive Battle of Aughrim was fought a year later. William's forces defeated James's army, which consisted mostly of raw recruits. The symbolic importance of this battle has made it one of the best-known battles in the history of the British Isles and a key part of the folklore of the Orange Order. Its commemoration is principally by the Protestant Orange Institution.
Oldbridge House
Oldbridge House was built in the 1740’s by either John Coddington or his nephew Dixie Coddington. It is believed to have been designed by George Darley, a local mason architect who also designed the renovated Dunboyne Castle, Dowth House and The Tholsel in Drogheda, Co. Louth.
To the left of the house there is a cobble stone stable yard with fine cut stable block. This originally contained coach houses, stables, tack and feed rooms. To the right of the house is a small enclosed courtyard which contains the former butler’s house which is not open to the public.
The grounds surrounding the house offer a variety of nice walks and areas to enjoy the outdoors.
St Oliver Plunkett's head at St Peter's Church
Oliver Plunkett, often known as Saint Oliver Plunkett, (1 November 1625 – 1 July 1681) was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland who was the last victim of the Popish Plot. He was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975, thus becoming the first new Irish saint for almost seven hundred years.
A couple of years after St. Oliver's martyrdom, the Relic of the Head was brought to Rome and remained there for about forty years, until it was given into the care of the new community of Dominican nuns at Siena convent in Drogheda, c.1725. The nuns were under the leadership of Sr. Catherine Plunkett a relative of St. Oliver and believed to have been his grand niece. For the following two centuries, this community proved their resourcefulness and devotion by faithfully preserving and venerating this priceless relic of the Irish Church, throughout the difficulties of penal times. During the war of independence because of a fear that some of the notorious Black and Tan forces might steal or desecrate the Relic, armed republican forces were positioned in its defence. Within months and to the great disappointment of this community, the Relic of the Head was transferred in 1921 to the newly built, St. Peter's Church, Drogheda, the Memorial Church of St. Oliver.
St. Peter's Church is situated on the main street of the busy town of Drogheda. The church was one of the last of the gothic churches to have been built and as such incorporates many of the finer aspects of gothic architecture. Built by parish priest, Mgr. Robert Murphy in the late nineteenth century; it is regarded today as a masterpiece of beauty and design. Its interior was decorated by his successor, Mgr. Patrick Segrave in the early twentieth century and his work is also regarded as exquisite in both taste and in finish. A similar building of design and adornment could not be built by the people of Drogheda today because of the astronomical costs such a project would entail.
Drogheda Museum Millmount
Drogheda Museum Millmount and Martello Tower are located on the great fort that towers over the town of Drogheda, County Louth, on an ancient hill overlooking the historic river Boyne. It is the oldest surviving centre of settlement in the town with a dramatic history and many stories to tell. The whole fort is now the Millmount Cultural Quarter, including craft shops, art galleries and café and artisan food centre. Young or old - what ever your interests - you will enjoy a warm welcome and a great day out!
Drogheda and surrounding area Beaches
Drogheda is blessed with not one but two Blue Flag Beaches and there is a third just a short way further up the coast. Within easy reach of Drogheda, the beaches of Port and Clogherhead offer pristine swimming options. Of course if a sea swim isn't your cup of tea at the end of December, both locations also offer spectacular walks and great ways to blow the cobwebs out after a night spent revelling.
Clogherhead Beach and Harbour are obviously particular favourites in our house and regular destinations for fresh air and the opportunity to grab a nice photo or two.