6/28/2014

Assistance Required



Old Drogheda Society

Anyone ODS members available for museum duty on Sunday next June 29th, 2 pm to 5 pm, please contact Liam on 041-9833097 or info@drogheda.ie 

 

Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage
Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

6/24/2014

Brigid's Way Celtic Pilgrimage.

Old Drogheda Society

Saturday 28th June to Sunday 6th July - Brigid's Way Celtic Pilgrimage.

See details




Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage
Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

 

6/23/2014

Touring St Peter's Church



Old Drogheda Society

In conjunction with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the consecration of St Peter's Church, West Street, there will be a short talk on the history of the church and a tour of the church, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.
 
Tours will be guide directed and commence at 2.30pm from Drogheda Museum Millmount.

The original St Peter's Church was built by Hugh DeLacy and there were several churches built before the present church, the building of which started in 1881 but it was not until 1914 that the work the interior was completed and the church consecrated.
 
 
Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage
Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

6/20/2014

Barmeath Castle Reminder


Old Drogheda Society
  



The next Evening Outing will be to Barmeath Castle on Thursday June 26th


Barmeath Castle is a magnificent castle set on 300 acres of parkland with 10 acres of gardens, including a lake with island.  

  • The Castle was built in the 15th century, and has been the home of the Bellew family for over 400 years. The original castle was a tower house which is incorporated in the present structure. In the late 17th century the castle was renovated with Georgian interiors. Thomas Wright created the beautiful gardens, including the lake, island, rock bridge and the Shell House. In the 1830s, Patrick Bellew, enlarged the house, with the extensions including an entrance tower with portcullis.

    Cost €15.00 per person


    Including coach travel, tour of castle, tea/coffee and sandwiches at a nearby hostelry.

    Bus Departs Marian Park     : 6.15pm. Sharp

    Bus Departs Lourdes church: 6.30pm. Sharp

     

    Advance booking essential,

    at Millmount Tel: 983309, not later than Monday June 23rd, 2014.
    Please note:


    This trip is open to both members and non members.

    Minimum numbers will be required for this outing to operate.

    Parking not available on Lourdes Church property.

     Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

    6/19/2014

    Summerhill Village


     
    Old Drogheda Society
     

    Sunday 22nd June @2:30pm Summerhill: Anthology of Place by Caroline Kane. 

    Despite being a small village, the historic narrative of Summerhill Village touches on many key events in Irish and indeed international history.

    This story begins with the settlement of the Lynch family who were of Anglo-Norman descent, in the mid 15th century. They moved here as tenants to the Wesley family of Dangan, as guardians to the Pale boundary and the lived here until 1642 when their lands were confiscated by Cromwell.

    Nearby Dungan Hill was the site of a decisive battle where Cromwell's forces gained advantage over their opponents. Summerhill eventually ended up in the ownership of Arthur Langford and later the Langford- Rowley family.

    It was these land owners who were responsible for the building of what was believed to have been the biggest Palladian style mansion in Ireland in c.1732.

    One of the most famous visitors to the house was the Empress Elizabeth of Austria who leased the house in 1879 and 1880 because of her love of hunting and to escape from her unhappy life at court. 

    In 1842 the village green in Summerhill was the location for a large repeal of the Union meeting and the content of this meeting gives an interesting insight into the most prominent social issues at the time. 

    This house was one of the first of the 'Big Houses' to be burned down by the IRA in 1921 and the reasons for this action remain a cause for considerable debate to this day. 

    Caroline Kane graduated with a diploma last year from the BA Local Studies course in NUI Maynooth, having entered as a mature student in 2011. She has a lifelong passion for Irish history and heritage and is now preparing to commence work on her final thesis.

    All welcome - assemble outside Shaw's Pub at 2.30pm.

     
    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage
    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097
       

    6/18/2014

    The Battle of the Boyne 1690

     
    Old Drogheda Society
     
    We have been requested to advise members of this forthcoming event which may be of interest 
     
    A hard look at
    The Battle of the Boyne 1690
    By
    Dr. Harman Murtagh
    In
    Donegans Monasterboice Inn
    Thursday 10th July 2014
    6.30pm-7.15pm
    Followed by Dinner (optional)   

    Hear an expert bring it to life and explain how it changed Irish and European history forever: the people, the confusion, the uniforms, the mistakes and what really happened 

    The Battle of the Boyne, which was fought in 1690, is commemorated on both sides of the divide that stands between Northern Ireland under British Sovereignty and the Southern Republic of Ireland.  This was not a religious battle but a political one.  There was indeed a religious aspect but this only played a minor role.
     
    Lecture only €5 Lecture and 3 course meal €25
                                                                            
     
    Menu
     
    Home-made Mushroom Soup
    Buffalo wings
    Caesar Salad
     
     ***
     
    Roast Stuffed Turkey & Ham with Cranberry Sauce
    Baked cod with Herb & Cheese Crust
    Home-made Burger & Sauté Onions
    Vegetarian Lasagne
     
    All Served with vegetables of the day
    Creamed & Roast Potatoes
     
    ***
     
    Apple Tart & Custard
    Fresh Fruit Pavlova
    Chocolate Éclair
     
    Tea or Coffee
     
    For bookings call the Monasterboice Inn on (041) 983 7383 or visit Facebook
      the uniforms, the mistakes and what really happened.
      
    The Monasterboice Inn was the home of Thomas Sarsfield, once the Innkeeper at Monasterboice, who may have been a relative of the famous Irish General, Patrick Sarsfield.
     
    Both the retiring Jacobite Army and the advancing Williamites passed near Monasterboice on ther march to the Boyne.
     
     
    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097
     

    6/16/2014

    Outing to Barmeath Castle




    Old Drogheda Society
     


    The Old Drogheda Society will be running an evening outing to Barmeath Castle, on Thursday June 26th.

     
    Barmeath Castle is a magnificent castle set on 300 acres of parkland with 10 acres of gardens, including a lake with island.

    The Castle was built in the 15th century, and has been the home of the Bellew family for over 400 years. The original castle was a tower house which is incorporated in the present structure. In the late 17th century the castle was renovated with Georgian interiors. Thomas Wright created the beautiful gardens, including the lake, island, rock bridge and the Shell House. In the 1830s, Patrick Bellew, enlarged the house, with the extensions including an entrance tower with portcullis.

    Cost €15.00 per person


    Including coach travel, tour of castle, tea/coffee and sandwiches at a nearby hostelry.

    Bus Departs Marian Park     : 6.15pm. Sharp

    Bus Departs Lourdes church: 6.30pm. Sharp

     

    Advance booking essential,

    at Millmount Tel: 9833097, not later than Monday June 23rd, 2014.

    Please note:

    This trip is open to both members and non members.

     Minimum numbers will be required for this outing to operate.

    Parking not available on Lourdes Church property.



    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage
     Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097
     

     

    6/13/2014

    Collon House Reminder



    Old Drogheda Society




     
    Just a reminder that booking for the Old Drogheda Society evening trip to Collon House on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, closes on Monday next, for what should be an enjoyable outing. 


     

                               

     

    Collon House, the former home of the Foster/Massereene family, restored by its present owners with contemporary Georgian furniture and furnishings steeped in history and is full of character and charm; its gracious rooms are exquisitely furnished with period antiques and paintings, retaining the atmosphere of early Georgian living.

     

    Built in 1740, Collon House was the home of Anthony Foster, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. His famous son John “Speaker” Foster , was the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons up to its dissolution by the Act of Union in 1800.The Foster family had many famous connections including Vere Foster,  the Educationalist and First President of the Irish National Teachers Organisation.


    Tour of house followed by tea, coffee and sandwich in Watters Pub.

    Depart Marian Park 6.30 p.m.
    Depart Lourdes Church 6.45 p.m.

    Please note no parking available on Lourdes Church property.

    Cost : €15 per person including coach travel, admission/tour of house,
     tea, coffee and sandwich..

    Booking now open.   Advance booking essential at Millmount tel :
    9833097, not later than Monday June 16th, 2014.


    Please note this tour is open to non members and will operate dependent on sufficient numbers.



    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage
    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

    6/12/2014

    Trip to Collon House

    Old Drogheda Society


    The Old Drogheda Society will be running an Evening trip to Collon House on Wednesday, June 18, 2014

    Collon House, the former home of the Foster/Massereene family, restored by its present owners with contemporary Georgian furniture and furnishings steeped in history and is full of character and charm; its gracious rooms are exquisitely furnished with period antiques and paintings, retaining the atmosphere of early Georgian living. 

    Built in 1740, Collon House was the home of Anthony Foster, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. His famous son John “Speaker” Foster , was the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons up to its dissolution by the Act of Union in 1800.The Foster family had many famous connections including Vere Foster,  the Educationalist and First President of the Irish National Teachers Organisation.

    Tour of house followed by tea, coffee and sandwich in Watters Pub.

    Depart Marian Park 6.30 p.m.


    Depart Lourdes Church 6.45 p.m.

    Please note no parking available on Lourdes Church property.

    Cost : €15 per person including coach travel, admission/tour of house, tea, coffee and sandwich..

    Booking now open.   Advance booking essential at Millmount tel: 9833097, not later than Monday June 16th, 2014.

    Please note this tour is open to non members and will operate dependent on sufficient numbers.




    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097
     
     

    6/11/2014

    IMA Membership Events


    Old Drogheda Society

     
    Dear Members,

     

    We have two events taking place this month which I hope may be of interest to you and your colleagues and for which I have outlined some information below. Please note that the forum reached full capacity last year so I would advise making an early booking to avoid any disappointment.

    As always, if you have any questions or feedback for the IMA, don’t hesitate in getting in touch with me.

     

    Best wishes,

    Gina
     
    (Gina O'Kelly | Irish Museums Association)

     

     

    IMA Forum: Education & Outreach

    Friday 27 June 2014. National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7.

    €5 for IMA members, €20 for guests. Booking is essential.

     

    From the development of workshops for babies and toddlers at the National Gallery of Ireland to those working with Age and Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival at the National Library of Ireland; from Kerry to Belfast; from a Victorian Jail to Dublin Castle;  the programme aims to represent the variety of innovative education projects that engage with our collections across the Island of Ireland. Fourteen museum, public gallery and cultural practitioners, selected through an open call for proposals, will give 15 minute presentations followed by ample time for discussion, debate and exchange of ideas.

    For full list of speakers, programme and abstracts, please visit here.  

     
    Annual Field Trip - Athlone

    Saturday 21 June 2014.

    Free for IMA members. Guests: €10. Booking is essential.

     
    IMA members and guests will be visiting Athlone Castle - reopened in 2012 following the renovation to transform the castle into a state-of-the-art, multi-sensory visitor experience – followed by the Luan Gallery, also open as of 2012. After a stop at The Clay Pipe Centre, Knockcroghery, the trip will continue to Lecarrow for a visit to Rindoon Castle (1227 AD), known as "the best preserved abandoned medieval town in Ireland".

    The IMA will be organising transport from Dublin to Athlone, leaving from outside the National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, D2 at 10am and returning for 6pm. To avail of transport, there is a charge of €15 pp and bookings must be made before the 18 June. For those not availing of transport, the meeting point will be Athlone Castle reception at 11.30am.


    For more information please visit here.  


    Gina O'Kelly | Irish Museums Association



    IMA Registered Office: 3rd Floor, St. Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Company Number 387027


    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097
     
     

    6/10/2014

    Irish Maritime Festival




    Old Drogheda Society



     
    The Irish Maritime Festival – a spectacular celebration of all things seafaring takes place in Drogheda from June 13th  to 15th.

    A feast of maritime fun including Seafaring Vessels, Boyne Boat Race, show-stopping water sports, a Boyne swim, a maritime pavilion plus a host of cultural and family entertainment will accompany the arrival of six classic sailing ships of a bygone era to Drogheda port.

    The majestic sail powered vessels visiting the port include three ketches all built in the period 1904 - 1913, and they will be joined by an 80 year old schooner Soteria, the Baltic trader Ruth and the sail schooner Vilma.

    Festivalgoers will be spoiled for choice with funfairs on the quays, boat and canoe trips on the river, stunning watersports displays, boat-building workshops, stand-up paddle boarding races and a maritime pavilion packed full of food, art, culture and kiddies fun zones.

    Saturday sees another Battle of the Boyne take place as swimmers take to the river for the inaugural Boyne Swim, a 2.7 km course starting in Mell and finishing south of the Viaduct This event is being organised by Drogheda Triathlon Club see here.  

    That day also features the Boyne Boat Race with rowing clubs from around the country taking part.

    Onshore at Drogheda Port a revamped warehouse will be transformed into the maritime pavilion, featuring a temporary beach area and a real food village celebrating local artisan food producers, along with art, photography, maritime history and kids play zones.

    The Irish Navy will be in attendance at the maritime enterprise, education and careers zone. Irish Rail are offering reduced return fares subject to availability

     On Shore - On the quayside
    • Drogheda Motor Show
    • Live Music, Comedy and Dance performances
    • Urban Beach & Sand Sculpturing
    • Funfair
    • Craft Stalls & Food Concessions
    • Maritime & Cultural Trail

    Off Shore - On the river

    • Classic Schooners
    • Extreme Sports Displays
    • Boyne Swim
    • Boyne Boat Race Stand
    • Up Paddling Racing
    • Pirate Battle Re-enactment



    Festival Opening Hours

    Friday June 13th - 12 midday to 9 pm

    Saturday June 14th - 10 am to 9 pm

    Sunday June 15th - 10 am - 5 pm

    There will be bar extensions in Drogheda's bars on both Friday 13th and Saturday 14th   

     


    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097


    6/09/2014

    Walking Tours of Drogheda




    Old Drogheda Society
    To coincide with the Maritime Festival, Drogheda Museum Millmount in association with Drogheda on the Boyne Tourism will be running a number of Walking Tours of Drogheda.

    The tours will start at Drogheda Tourist Office in the Tholsel, West Street and go via St Peter's Church and St Olivers Shrine. St Peter's Churchyard, Highlanes Gallery stopping to see the Sword and Mace presented to Drogheda by William of Orange, Old Drogheda Grammar School, St Laurence Gate and the old town walls at Featherbed Lane, down Constitution Hill to the Mall where the guide will talk on Drogheda's rich maritime history, across Delacy Bridge and on to Millmount,. Here the tours end. 

    Tours are as follows 

    • Friday 13th at 2pm from Drogheda Tourist Office

    • Saturday 14th at 11am from Drogheda Tourist Office

    • Saturday at 2pm fron Drogheda Tourist Office
     
    Adults €2 under 16's and oap's €1   

     
    Advance bookings to Drogheda Museum Millmount 041-9833087 or e-mail tourism@drogheda.ie or info@droghedamuseum.ie

     

    Drogheda Museum Millmount opens Monday to Saturday 10 am - 5.30 pm and on Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm

     



    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

    6/05/2014

    Weekend Events



    Old Drogheda Society




     

    Illustrated Presentation:  Táin Bó Cúailnge & the Fords of the River Fane

    Venue: Stephenstown Pond, Knockbridge.

    Date: Friday 6 June @ 7:30 p.m.

    Presenter: Paul Gosling





    The Irish Military War Museum at Starinagh, Collon, Co. Meath hosts a military show on the weekend of June 6th to 8th to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day in World War 2.

    Other events also take place and further details from here and here

    Fri 6th of June, Kells 1200 - A centenary celebration of the re-founding of the Monastic Town of Kells, County Meath, by the returning monks of St. Colmcille / Columba from Iona, Scotland. Programme online here.






    An ecumenical service will take place in St Columba's Church, Kells at 8:00 pm. The Most Rev. Pat. Storey, Bishop of Meath & Kildare will preach.

    Sunday 8th June @2:30 p.m. A Visit to the Monasterboice Area, Tour Leaders: Philip King and Dr. Conor Brady. Please assemble in the carpark at Monasterboice. Suitable footwear is advised. The outing will include visits to Monasterboice, Paddock (Wedge Tomb) and Cartanstown (Bee Boles). CLAHS Event.

    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097

    6/04/2014

    Drogheda's Newest Monument

     
    Old Drogheda Society

     It's all ahead at the worksite of Drogheda's Newest Monument


    It’s been all hands on deck in recent weeks to complete Drogheda’s newest memorial, honouring the inventor of the first workable submarine.

    John Philip Holland, born in County Clare in 1841, the son of a Lighthouse keeper, he attended the Christian Brothers School in Limerick and later joined the Christian Brothers in Cork.

    1865 saw him arrive at the Christian Brothers Convent Drogheda where he took up the post of mathematics and music teacher. Throughout his time as a Christian Brother, he never abandoned his passion for engineering and applying mathematical solutions to engineering problems.

    It was during his residence at the Drogheda Convent, which is today Scholars Townhouse Hotel, that he designed the submersible mechanical Duck (which could walk around the garden and swim, dive and resurface when put in water) he then designed what was to become the world’s first workable submarine; the Fenian Ram.

    In 1873 Holland left both the Christian Brothers and Ireland for America, to pursue turning his submarine design into an actual vessel. He secured funding from the Boston based Fenian Organisation to establish the Electric Boat Company which still exists today as the submarine manufacturing division of General Dynamics.

    He supplied the US Navy with their first ever submarine which was named the USS Holland. He also supplied the first submarine to The Royal Navy which they named HMS Holland 1. The Emperor of Japan bestowed on him their highest civilian honour ‘The Order of The Rising Sun’ and he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007.

    His first submarine, the ‘Fenian Ram’ is permanently on display at the Paterson Museum, New Jersey, U.S.A.


    This memorial is to celebrate his association with Drogheda and commemorate the extraordinary contributions of John Philip Holland to Naval and Maritime engineering worldwide.

    The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to take place at 3pm on Saturday 14th. June (Invitation Only) in Scholars Hotel gardens to coincide with the Irish Maritime Festival.


    Old Drogheda Society - History, Archaeology & Heritage

    Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tel. 041-9833097