8/31/2015

Pic of the Day @ 31 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society


Drogheda Museum Millmount's photo.
Firing of The Cannon: Millmount Tower National Heritage Week
 
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

Last Talk Last Walk


Old Drogheda Society

 


The final "Walk & Talk" evening in the Old Drogheda Society Summer series takes place on Wednesday next September 2nd, when Liam Reilly will lead a walk from outside St Peter's Church of Ireland at 7.30pm.

The content of the walk will include:

A look at some of the interesting graves in the churchyard including John Duggan, survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade, The Elcock family grave, Anne Hardman, the lady who came back from the dead, Bartholomew Van Homreigh, former Mayor of Dublin and the first to wear the mayoral chains presented by William of Orange and still worn today. And we look at the cadaver from the 16th century.

Then we move into William Street and hear about Eamonn Campbell, probably Drogheda's most famous musician, TK Whitaker, voted Irishman of the 20th Century, Church Lane and the Drogheda connection to "The Fairytale of New York", Freeschool Lane, Paradise Place and Harpur House.

In Palace Street we hear about the former Presbyterian Church, the Tooting Tower, the Archbishops of Armagh's residence in Drogheda. We visit St Laurence Gate and the old town walls at Featherbed Lane and hear about the Whitworth Hall , the Old Drogheda Grammar School, the Franciscans in Drogheda, Keysers Lane, the old Methodist Church and Rosemary Lane, finishing at the Tholsel.

There is no set charge for this walk but small donations will be accepted for Drogheda Cultural Services. As numbers are limited pre-booking is essential. Bookings are now being taken at the Governors House, Millmount. Phone 041-9833097 or e-mail
info@droghedamuseum.ie

 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/30/2015

Pic of the Day @ 30 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society


Tower of Strength by Brendan Matthews
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/29/2015

Pic of the Day @ 29 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
Nano Reid by Declan Mallon
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/28/2015

Pic of the Day @ 28 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
Through The Ages - A History of The Millmount Complex In Drogheda
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/27/2015

Pic of the Day @ 27 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society



Highlanes Gallery Reference book
 
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/26/2015

Pic of the Day @ 26 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
 

Poetry by Dermot Fairtlough Volume 1

Poetry by Dermot Fairtlough Volume 2


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/25/2015

Pic of the Day @ 25 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society


Feis Na Boinne Cup inscribed with winners' names
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/24/2015

Pic of the Day @ 24 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

From Feis Na Boinne Cup collection
 

Drogheda Museum Millmount

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/23/2015

Pic of the Day @ 23 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 

Drogheda Traders Association Perpetual Cup
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

Some Changes in this Wednesday's Walk & Talk


Old Drogheda Society

 
There has been a change in the Old Drogheda Society "Walk & Talk" Evening planned for Wednesday Aug 26th.
 
It had been planned for Brendan Matthews to lead a walk and talk about Drogheda's industrial past but Brendan felt it would be unfair to the people who have taken part in the tours to date, to do the this talk on a Wednesday, as a lot of it's content was covered in his previous walk and talk on Drogheda Docks.
Instead  Brendan Matthews will take walkers on a stroll across West St. telling the tales of Saint Oliver Plunkett, executed in 1681 and Dr. Patrick Curtis, friend to the Duke of Wellington and one-time Primate of Armagh who died in 1832, the relics of both are which interred within St. Peter`s Church. The tale of old Arthur Moy, who owned a locksmith`s shop in Stockwell St. in the later 19th and early 20th century. The life and adventures of a daring Fenian, Big John Francis Nugent, of Duke St. and the formation of the Fenian Movement in Drogheda in the old White Horse Hotel. The veterinary surgeon Henry Byrne and the John Boyle O`Reilly connection. The site of the old 18th century Linen Hall. The Old Abbey, Town wall remains and the West Gate. Brendan will bring the evening to a close at Georges Square, location of the renowned Drogheda Horse Fair and where he will speak about the appalling conditions of the people who once lived in Chesters Lane; often led on a `drinking spree` by the famous Kate the Navvy, they were known as the `Chesters Lane Elite`
This walk will start from outside St Peter's Church at 7.30pm.
Advance booking is essential and can be made by phoning the Governor's House on 041-9833097 of e-mail info@droghedamuseum.ie 
 
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/22/2015

Pic of the Day @ 22 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
Boyne Regatta Cup with inscriptions for Drogheda Rowing Club 1958 and Coleraine Acaedmical Institution 1962 inter alia
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

A Blast from the Past


Old Drogheda Society

 
As part of National Heritage Week there will be an open day "A Blast from the Past" tomorrow August 23rd in Drogheda Museum Millmount from 2pm to 5pm.  Everyone welcome

 

There will be free admission to the museum & tower

Live music with Rapscallion and The FAA Side

The Millmount Cannons will be fire with 3 shots at 2.30pm and 3 more at 3.45pm

There will be a family Treasure Hunt with all answers available in the museum

Re-enactors will be dressed as medieval warriors and Napoleonic soldiers.

There will be short walking tours to visit part of the old town walls

There will be film footage of Drogheda in the 40's and 50's

Children's Storytelling with the Bad Fairy

Sparkles the Clown will be making Balloon Animals

Display of work from Drogheda's Men's Shed

Talks of Drogheda's Industrial Past with Brendan Matthews

Drogheda Fire Service will have some items from their own museum on show

The dreaded punishment pillory will be available to punish the naughty 

The "Louth Matters" Show from Irish TV will be recording the event.

Ice cream and soft drinks available in the courtyard

The Tower Restaurant will be open serving food and drinks

A selection of books of local interest will be available 

Outdoor seating plus many activities under cover

Car Parking available in St Mary's Parish Car Park on Old Hill.   

 

Please spread the word.

 
 

 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/21/2015

Pic of the Day @ 21 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
Boyne Regatta Cup with engravings for Bann Rotary Club 1949 ~ Drogheda Rotary Club 1950 & 1958 and  ... inter alia
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/20/2015

Pic of the Day @ 20 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
 Boyne Regatta Cup with engravings for Dundalk Rotary Club 1921 and Bann Rotary Club 1954 ... inter alia
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/19/2015

Pic of the Day @ 19 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society
Boyne Regatta Cup With Inscriptions for Portadown Boat Club and Athlone Boat Club in 1946 and 1947 respectively

 
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

Last Chance To Book For Tonight's Walk & Talk


Old Drogheda Society

 
There are still a few places on tonight's, 6th Old Drogheda Society "Walk & Talk" Evening on Oliver Cromwell's siege of Drogheda, St Mary's Church of Ireland and the history of Millmount at 7.30pm, when Margaret Clinton, Senior Tour Guide with Drogheda Museum Millmount, will lead the walk.

She will speak firstly on the history of St Mary's Church of Ireland from it's beginning as the site of a Carmelite Monastery through to the present church in built in 1810.   

Then she will speak on Oliver Cromwell's siege of Drogheda and point out the exact spot where he broke through the walls. The Royalist garrison's retreat to Millmount and the death of Sir Arthur Aston. Richmond Barracks, the building of the tower in 1808, The shelling of Millmount in 1922.

This tour departs from Drogheda Museum Millmount at 7.30pm 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

Do You See The History On Your Doorstep?


Old Drogheda Society


Nicola Cassidy with an enchanting account of last week's Walk & Talk with Audrey Smith. Nicola Cassidy wrote this for her blog LadyNicci.
 

Clarkes Bar Drogheda
Clarke's Pub

Last night I took part in the Walk & Talk series organised by the Old Drogheda Society and Drogheda Millmount Museum. Like all good things, I’d read about it on Facebook and was quick to join up, as I’m mad into local social and cultural history these days, what with setting all my novel writing here. (Well they do say to write about what you know).

This week’s topic was Crime & Punishment and I expect many people turned up, because it had been promo’d on local news website www.droghedalife.ie as “Prostitutes on the Dublin Road / Murder in Shop Street”. Gagging for gossip we were. “Tell us about the ho’s,” I heard one elderly woman cry.

Our host for the evening was the engaging Audrey Smith and she began the talk across from the site of one of Drogheda’s oldest jails. The site (now St. Mary’s Church) was a basic hole in the ground with bars, and you were flung in there for years, unless somebody rich enough could get you out.

Here she told us about the prostitutes on the Dublin Road too. As this was the highway to Dublin (clue is in the name) there were many brothels and kip houses all along the the hill. Strangers used to wander into this part of town and be accosted by six foot tall, straw haired, love you long time types. “More about the ho’s,” shouted that elderly lady again as we made our way down to Scotch Hall to learn about the blueshirts and the riots they caused. Honestly some people just love digging dirt.

drogheda history
Top Left: The sun sets on the Drogheda skyline underneath a sign saying Droichead Atha (Irish name for Drogheda), Top Right, Shop Street and the coloured shop facades, Bottom Left, side of the Admirals pub with Guinness sign and Irish flag, Bottom Right, St Peter’s Catholic Church spire on the main thoroughfare, West Street.
 
At the Tholsel, we got inside after hours to learn about the court sittings that used to take place there, where men, women and children were hauled before the magistrates (who usually weren’t trained in law) and sentenced to jail or by the sounds of it, most times, death.

The gallows hung outside the courthouse and if someone was sentenced to death and there were no gallows ready, they swung a rope over the nearest pole and did the deed there. Can you imagine all the people that died on the very spot where you push your trolley of groceries every week?

drogheda history
Clockwise: A pillar at the St Peter’s Church of Ireland, St. Peter’s Catholic Church spire poking over Clarke’s Bar on Fair Street, A pillar opposite Scoil Aonghusa, near to Magdalene’s Tower and the fabulouly kept Clarke’s Bar. Great for a pint too!
 
 
We learned about infanticide. while standing outside St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, and were told that the murder of babies was rampant in the 19th century, right up to the 1940s. Mostly led by Catholic shame, it seems babies born out of wedlock were often discarded rather than allowed to live. And with the lack of contraception, there were a lot of babies who didn’t make it past birth. It was terribly sad.

At Rope Walk we heard about the case of Mr Maguire and his two (lady of the night) friends who attacked and left for dead a young female victim. Maguire was hanged, while protesting his innocence, but the two ladies were transported to Australia, where as luck would have it, half discovered the Australian gold mine. They became rich and powerful and sure all was forgiven.

Our last stop was Eddie’s Hardware, or as it used to be know Drogheda Gaol. It sounded like a fierce place altogether, with high walls, iron railings, ready made gallows at the front (aesthetic and warning value) and a whole industry of punishment inside.

It’s weird to think that people were locked up in cess infested hell holes where you now go and pick your living room paint.

drogheda history
Clockwise: Whitworth Hall, Laurence’s Street, Old Church of Ireland Church, Palace Street, Lamps at old Franciscan Church, now Highlanes Gallery, Arched Gateway, to back of the old Sound Shop
 
As I made my way back to my car after the talk, I couldn’t help but notice that dusk had descended on our ancient town and it looked quite beautiful in parts. There were olds walls, old gates, iron railings, cast lamps; all standing there majestically, while we pass by each day, never even noticing.

Do you look at the history on your doorstep? Do you ever examine a piece of your town, a footpath or wall and think, who lived here? What happened to them? What was it like?

Because I do. All the time. But then, they don’t call be Nerdy Nicci for nothing. (They don’t but hey, they should).

Visit www.millmount.net to find out more about the Walk & Talk series or to learn about joining Old Drogheda Society.
 

 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/18/2015

Pic of the Day @ 18 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society


Murphy Challenge Cup 1948
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

From the Far East to Ireland's Ancient East


Old Drogheda Society

News from the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society.

Counsellor Lijun Wu, Charge d'Affaires and Deputy Head of the Mission for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ireland, launches:

A Collaboration to Opening Vistas to the Boyne Valley and beyond for Chinese Speaking Visitors ~


From the Far East to Ireland's Ancient East
on Wednesday, 19th August, 2015


The Kells & District Tourism Forum and the Ireland China Culture Tourism Association are working in collaboration to market Kells and the Boyne Valley region, part of the new Ireland's Ancient East destination, as a welcoming hub and destination in response to increasing numbers of Chinese tourist visitors to Ireland. Please telephone 087 929 6499 / 085 270 5675 to reserve a place or email info@kellstourismforum.com
 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/17/2015

Pic of the Day @ 17 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 



Boyne Regatta Cup with inscriptions for Dublin Rowing Club and Drogheda Rowing Club 1923 and 1924 respectively

 



 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

Meandering With Margaret


Old Drogheda Society

 

Please find details of the Wednesday's Old Drogheda Society Walk and Talk Evening. 

The 6th Old Drogheda Society "Walk & Talk" Evening on Oliver Cromwell's siege of Drogheda, St Mary's Church of Ireland and the history of Millmount will be held on next Wednesday August 19th at 7.30pm, when Margaret Clinton, Senior Tour Guide with Drogheda Museum Millmount will lead the walk.

She will speak firstly on the history of St Mary's Church of Ireland from it's beginning as the site of a Carmelite Monastery through to the present church in built in 1810.   

Then she will speak on Oliver Cromwell's siege of Drogheda and point out the exact spot where he broke through the walls. The Royalist garrison's retreat to Millmount and the death of Sir Arthur Aston. Richmond Barracks, the building of the tower in 1808, The shelling of Millmount in 1922.

This tour departs from Drogheda Museum Millmount at 7.30pm

There is no charge for the walk but voluntary donations will be accepted for Drogheda Cultural Services. As there are limited places advance booking is essential for all walks. Phone the Governors House Millmount 041-9833097 or e-mail info@droghedamuseum.ie 

 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/16/2015

Pic of the Day @ 16 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
 
More from the Boyne Regatta Cup gallery


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/15/2015

Pic of the Day @ 15 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
 

Boyne Regatta Cairnes Challenge Cup 1903



Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097

8/14/2015

Pic of the Day @ 14 August 2015


Old Drogheda Society

 
Electrical outfit (Gamages)








 


Drogheda Museum Millmount,

History, Archaeology & Heritage, 

Governor's House,

Millmount,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth, Ireland,

0419833097