Drogheda 1953 - Sport and Recreation

Here in Drogheda Museum Millmount's archive collection, there are a vast amount of various different sources and artifacts relating to the town down through the years. One interesting piece I came across the other day was a souvenir guide to Drogheda from 1953 (as far as I can tell) published as part of "An Tóstal". These were a series of festivals held across the country in the 1950's, the original purpose of which was a celebration of Irish culture, with an emphasis on drawing tourists into the country during the Easter off-season, like our more recent "Gathering" Festival. There were regional parades, as well as various arts and sporting parades. Many towns also began a clean-up operation for the festival every year, which became the National Tidy Towns Awards. Begun in 1953, An Tóstal continued on until 1958 when it died out in most towns, except for Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim and more recently, beginning again in 2011 in Salthill, Galway.

The guide offers a bright picture of the cultural activities to be had in the town, many of which are still continued on today. The article is as follows:

                                                        Sport & Recreation

"Most of the sports and pastimes indulged in today in Ireland are to be found in Drogheda and its neighbourhood but it must be admitted that only in the spheres of Gaelic football, golf, and, at one time, rowing, has this district reached the highest standards.

Football:  In Drogheda and the neighbouring counties of Louth and Meath Gaelic football is easily the most popular form of field sport. The Gaelic Athletic Association was established in Drogheda in 1885. All kinds of difficulties were encountered in its early days. Lack of playing fields, lack of social influence, and interference from the ruling powers only served to make its members more enthusiastic, and today the G.A.A. is one of the most important organisations in the district. The splendid playing park it now possesses on the northern extremity of the town, and, which, in spite of its size, is scarcely large enough to accommodate the huge crowds that patronize some of the major games, is a sufficient testimony of the esteem the G.A.A. enjoys among the sport-loving public.

There is also a Rugby Football Club and a fair number of Association Football Clubs in the town but the general standard of play is not very high.

Golf:  There are two fine 18-hole golf courses in the vicinity of Drogheda, one on the north side of the river at Baltray, the other on the south side near Bettystown. The Baltray course, one of the best known in Ireland, is used for Championship events and some of the best golfers in Ireland, male and female, have learned to play golf there.


Rowing:  was at one time a foremost sport here and Drogheda crews have won the highest honours in the country. For many years past the standard of performance has fallen considerably but the annual regatta on the Boyne has been revived in the past few years and Drogheda crews may yet attain their former eminence. The Rowing Club was established in 1863 and its possessions include a good boat-house, with attached tennis courts, on the south bank of the river.


Other Athletic Games:  Running, cycling and field sports are not very prominent in Drogheda but a number of clubs in nearby rural areas engage in these activities. The summer game of tennis has a good number of devotees and a small cricket club also exists. In the winter season table tennis is very popular and handball and badminton have made progress in the last couple of years. There is also a very promising boxing club.


Cultural Societies:  The Gaelic League plays a big part in the social life of the town. Irish language and dancing classes are largely attended. Lectures and socials are frequently held. The annual Feis na Boinne is now an institution and always draws a big attendance. A number of drama groups exist in the town and give regular public performances which draw big audiences. A Choral Society and a Pantomime Group attract many of their own characteristic types of performers and also give periodic pleasure to a large section of the populace. A flourishing branch of Town Associates of the Irish Countrywomen's Association exists. The Archaeological Society has not many members in Drogheda but these few are genuine and enthusiastic adherents. The town possesses an excellent brass band which is a very decided asset to the town, as its valued services are readily available for large out-of-doors functions.


Indoor Non-Athletic Pastimes: include public lectures of popular interest, ballroom dancing, billiards, card games such as whist and bridge drives, and cinema going.


Horse Racing: Drogheda has not a permanent race-course of its own but many of the townspeople are attracted to meetings held within reasonable distance of the town, e.g. the Dublin meetings, Bellewstown, Laytown Strand, Navan and Dundalk. A minor one-day racing fixture organised annually for the past few years at Beamore on the south-western outskirts of Drogheda draws a huge crowd from the town, including many who never attend any other race meeting.


Hunting:  can be had in districts fairly adjacent to the town. The Louth Foxhounds hunt the district between Louth and Ardee. Some of the finest hunting country in Ireland is in Meath where the Meath Foxhounds, the Tara Harriers and the Ballymacad Foxhounds operate.


Freshwater Fishing: in the upper reaches of the Boyne for salmon and brown trout is good and can be obtained in certain sections at moderate charges. A District Angling Club is in vigorous being. Sea-fishing for bass gives good sport in the Boyne estuary but particularly at the Clogherhead pier in the summer months."