Drogheda: Culture, History and Walking Routes

If you’re looking for a hotel in Drogheda, the city’s sights and walking routes provide a clear framework for planning your trip. You can weigh up whether local history, religious heritage, collections, guided tours or walks should be the focus of your stay.

History and religious heritage

St. Laurence’s Gate dates from the 13th century and is a National Monument in state care. It is the only surviving structure of the extensive fortifications that once surrounded Drogheda. At this one structure, you can encounter both the 13th century and the history of Drogheda’s defences. St Peter’s Church in Drogheda houses the head of Saint Oliver Plunkett in a specially made shrine for veneration. Every year on 1 July, the anniversary of his death, special celebrations are held in Drogheda for his feast day. The programme may vary; if you are travelling specifically for it, check the latest event details in advance.

Museums, guided tours and art

Drogheda Museum Millmount offers guided tours of the museum and the Martello towers. Highlanes Gallery presents exhibitions from Drogheda’s municipal art collection. Formal and informal tours of the collection and temporary exhibition programme are available for individuals and groups. The Five Good Things café is attached to Highlanes Gallery. As operations and opening hours may change, check the latest opening arrangements before your visit.

The two offerings have different focuses: Millmount features the museum and Martello towers, while Highlanes focuses on the municipal art collection and temporary exhibitions. This lets you choose cultural tours or a gallery visit based on which subjects interest you more.

Walking routes and the Boyne Valley Camino

Drogheda Walks comprises four mapped walks ranging from 1.5 to 6.5 km; at 25 km, the Boyne Valley Camino is a considerably longer circular route. It starts at St Peter’s Church on West Street, and runs from Drogheda to Old Mellifont Abbey and back. Along the way, riverside greenways, woodland paths, quiet country roads, a canal path and green fields alternate. When comparing routes, you have several shorter mapped walks to choose from alongside one longer circular walk. You can also take the different types of path into account, as well as the overall distance.

Heritage in County Louth

At the end of the Boyne Valley Camino is Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey in Tullyallen, near Drogheda in County Louth. It was Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery; the abbey complex has a two-storey octagonal lavabo. Another heritage site in County Louth is Monasterboice, which, with its round tower and high crosses, is among the outstanding examples of an early Christian or “Celtic” monastery. Muiredach’s Cross, also called the South Cross, is 5.5 m high and fully intact. It depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as two playful cats near the bottom of the shaft.

Discover more destinations: Stabannan, Dundalk, Collon, Termonfeckin, Lower Jenkinstown, Bettystown, Dunleer, Ardee

For the broader travel overview: County Louth.