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Carlingford Castle
Carlingford
Co Louth
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Carlingford Castle, also known as King John’s Castle, is of beautiful Anglo-Norman construction and enjoys spectacular views overlooking Carlingford. Constructed in 1210, King John is known to have spent time at the castle.
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Bru na Boinne Centre
Donore
Drogheda
Co Louth
353 (0)41-9880300
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Located six miles to the south west of Drogheda is the Bru na Boinne Centre, showcasing the archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley. This includes the megalithic passage tombs of Knowth and Newgrange. The centre contains extensive viewing areas and interactive displays.
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Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
Oldbridge House
Drogheda
Co Louth
353 (0)41-9849876
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The Battle of the Boyne, one of the most famous and influential battles in Irish and indeed British history, was fought near Drogheda between the forces of the Catholic James II and the Protestant King William III. The visitor centre contains a display of replica weapons including cannons, flintlock and matchlock muskets and swords, with guided tours taking place between May and September. There are also weapons demonstrations every Sunday.
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Boyne Viaduct
Drogheda
Co Louth
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Constructed by Irish engineer Sir John MacNeill during the 1850s, the Boyne Viaduct was only the seventh such bridge of its type when it was completed in 1855. Comprised on 12 stone arches on the south side with a further three on the north, to this day it is considered one of the world’s great engineering marvels.
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Magdalene Tower
Magdalene St
Drogheda
Co Louth
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Although Magdalene Tower is itself of 14th century construction, today it is all that remains of the 13th century Dominican Friary founded by Lucas de Netterville. Located near the now demolished St Sunday's Gate, it was here that the Ulster chiefs submitted to Richard II of England in 1367
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Millmount Museum & Martello Tower
Millmount
Drogheda
Co Louth
353 (0)41-9833097
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Martello Tower is perhaps the dominant feature of Drogheda, sitting atop the great mound reputed to be 3,000 years old. It was here that Oliver Cromwell encountered the greatest resistance during his bloody siege of the town. The fort that sits on the site today was constructed in 1808 to guard against invasion by the French.
Milmount Museum, meanwhile, chronicles the history of Drogheda with a number of audio visual presentations. It also contains a fine collection of guild banners, an authentic Irish kitchen and dairy, a Boyne corricle, an Industries Room, Religious Exhibition, a Curiosities section, 1916-1922 room, a telephone exhibition and a geological collection.
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St Laurence Gate
Laurence St
Drogheda
Co Louth
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Widely considered to be the finest example of a Barbican or outer defence gate in Europe, St Laurence Gate is of 13th century construction. Permitting visitors to see the scale of the Medieval walls which once encircled Drogheda, St Laurence Gate has a long and bloody history behind it.
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St. Peter’s Church of Ireland
Peter St
Drogheda
Co Louth
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Considered to be an essential stop on any tour of Drogheda, St. Peter’s Church of Ireland is open to the public only when services are being held or by prior appointment. The present structure dates from 1791 after Cromwellian forces burned the original church to the ground with more than 100 people inside.
The graveyard is also worth visiting, containing the grave of a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade and a number of truly original stone carvings.
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The Tholsel
Tholsel St
Carlingford
Drogheda
Co Louth
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Standing on the site of the first municipal town hall established by the Normans, the Tholsel building dates from 1770. Used as an Assizes and a prison, public hangings were carried out on gallows across the street.
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Mellifont Abbey
Tullyallen
Nr Drogheda
Co Louth
353 (0)41 983 5341
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Mellifont Abbey was Ireland’s first Cistercian Abbey, founded by St Malachy the archbishop of Armagh in 1157. Lying in the beautiful valley of the Mattock River, today the abbey is in ruins. Nevertheless, the remains of the chapter house and the gateway still exist, making it possible to imagine how it would have looked in its heyday.
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High Crosses & Round Tower
Monasterboice
Nr Drogheda
Co Louth
353 (0)41 982 2813
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Monasterboice Monastery was founded by Saint Buite, who died in 521 AD. It contains two of the finest High Crosses to be found in Ireland, both of which are made of sandstone and date to around the 9th century. The site also features a round tower in excellent condition.
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County Museum
Jocelyn Street
Dundalk
Co Louth
353 (0) 42 932 7056
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Set in a beautifully restored 18th century warehouse, the County Museum tells the history of County Louth from the Mesolithic period to present day using audiovisual displays and demonstrations.
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