Welcome to Drogheda

Drogheda is a fun and interesting town in County Louth, Ireland, with a history that's as long as a dinosaur's tail! Drogheda began as two separate towns, on either side of the River Boyne, and these parts unified in 1412. That's more than 600 years ago!

This town is an important place in Irish history. One of its most famous stories happened in 1690, during a time called the Battle of the Boyne. It was a massive fight between two kings - William III of England and James II of Ireland. King William won the battle, which changed the course of history.

Drogheda is also known for its ancient gate called St. Laurence's Gate. It was built in the 13th century as part of the town's walls and it's still standing today! Imagine, it's almost 800 years old!

So, next time you visit Drogheda, remember you're walking on streets full of centuries-old stories. Isn't that cool?

  1. What are the two parts that Drogheda began as?
  2. Who won the Battle of the Boyne?
  3. What is the name of the ancient gate in Drogheda?
  4. Why do you think the Battle of the Boyne is such an important event in Irish history?
  5. If you could ask one of the kings from the Battle of the Boyne a question, what would it be and why?

All About Drogheda

Drogheda is a bustling town in County Louth, Ireland, nestled at the mouth of the River Boyne. It's surrounded by fields of green and is home to many historical sites, like the impressive St. Laurence's Gate, a stone arch that was part of the town's old walls.

The town is also famous for its beautiful Boyne River, where you can see swans gliding on the water. The river flows all the way to the Irish Sea and is a vital part of Drogheda's landscape.

Walking around, you might spot the colourful shop fronts on West Street, one of the main streets in town. You'll also see lots of lovely trees, flowers, and birds like robins, blackbirds and the occasional sparrowhawk.

One of the most remarkable places in Drogheda is Millmount Fort. It's on a big hill, so if you climb up there, you can see the whole town! It's like standing on a giant's shoulder! Don't forget to look for the Martello Tower, an old guard tower, when you're up there.

Drogheda is a wonderful blend of nature and history. Isn't it fun to learn about new places?

  1. What is the importance of the River Boyne to the geography of Drogheda?
  2. Name two types of birds you might see in Drogheda.
  3. What historical sites can you find in Drogheda? Provide at least two examples.
  4. Using a map of Drogheda, can you identify the main streets and the location of Millmount Fort?
  5. Go on a virtual tour or visit Drogheda if possible. Can you find a geographical feature not mentioned in the text? Describe what you discovered.

My Family and Drogheda

Hi, I'm Sam and I'm 8 years old. I live in Drogheda, Co. Louth and I think it's the best place to grow up! There's so much to see and do here. One of my favourite places is the Millmount Museum. It's this big, old tower that you can see from everywhere in town! My friends and I like to pretend that it's a castle and we're the kings and queens.

Another cool place is the River Boyne. In the summer, we have picnics by the river and sometimes we see people in canoes. I want to try that one day! We also have the Highlanes Gallery, where they show lots of different art. I like the colourful paintings the best.

There's also St. Peter's Church. It's really old and has a story about a head in a glass box. It's a little scary, but also really interesting! I love living in Drogheda because there's always something fun to do or a new story to hear. I can't wait to see what I'll discover next!

  1. Can you name three places that Sam likes in Drogheda?
  2. Why does Sam like the Millmount Museum?
  3. What does Sam do by the River Boyne in the summer?
  4. What does Sam like at the Highlanes Gallery?
  5. What's the story about St. Peter's Church that Sam finds a little scary?

The Logainm of Drogheda

The town of Drogheda in County Louth has a very special name. In Irish, Drogheda is 'Droichead Átha', which means 'Bridge of the Ford'. This name came about hundreds of years ago. Back then, there weren't as many bridges as we have now. People had to cross rivers and streams using shallow places called fords.

In the olden days, there was a very important ford in Drogheda. Lots of people used it to cross the River Boyne. Later on, a bridge was built over the ford. That's why the town got the name 'Bridge of the Ford'. Even today, bridges are a big part of Drogheda. One of the main landmarks in the town is the Boyne Viaduct, a big railway bridge that crosses the River Boyne.

So, the next time you cross a bridge, think about how important they were in the past, and still are today. Just like the bridge in Drogheda, they connect people and places together.

  1. What does the name 'Drogheda' mean in English?
  2. Why was the town of Drogheda named 'Bridge of the Ford'?
  3. What is a ford and why were they important in the past?
  4. What is the name of the big railway bridge in Drogheda?
  5. Why are bridges important in our lives today?

Slideshow - Drogheda
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Drogheda