Drogheda
County Louth.

Droichead Átha.

Read about Droheda up tp 1837 from Samuel Lewis' Topographical Directory of Irelans.

Drogheda sits astride the River Boyne approximately 8 km (5 MI) inland from the Irish Sea. It was formerly known as Newbridge (the translation of its name) Drogheda was founded in the 9th century by the Vikings, who remained in possession until the 12th century when it was taken over by the Normans under Hugh de Lacy, in 1412 the two parts of the town on either side of the river were united by charter, making it the largest English town in Ireland. Several medieval parliaments met there.

In 1649 Drogheda was the site of an infamous massacre by Oliver Cromwell various sources state that women and children who took refuse in one of the churches were burnt alive, the defending garrison were driven to the Millmount fort where they surrendered, all were subsequently massacred, and the garrison commander an English royalist was battered to death with his own wooden leg. Cromwell is reputed to have written 'I think that we put to the sword altogether about two thousand men, it is right that God alone should have all the glory.'

The town’s traditional industries of linen manufacture and cotton milling have largely disappeared to be replaced by light industry. Many anglers who go salmon-fishing on the River Boyne use Drogheda as their base.

Places of interest include St Laurence’s Gate a 13th century gateway that was once the only entry into the medieval walled city, and the Magdalene Steeple the remains of a Dominican Friary also dating from the 13th century.