Drogheda

A team of Drogheda locals came together to map four walks which highlight the natural beauty, built heritage and historical wealth of our town. The walks range in length from the 1.5km ‘Five Bridges’ walk, to the 6.5km ‘Steps’ walk.  The 4km historical ‘Walls’ walk and pretty ‘Spires and Towers’ walks traverse both sides of the river and reveal great views.

The walks are aimed at locals as much as visitors to enjoy, and you can share your photos on #droghedawalks

Sir Arthur Aston's golden leg: Drogheda was obviously an important defensive location as a bridging point and a port. This is evident in the walled town's history and none more so than when Oliver Cromwell and his forces laid siege to the town in 1649. The unfortunate Sir Arthur Aston had been made Governor of Drogheda a year earlier. It was supposed to be an easier assignment for the career soldier who had served military campaigns in Europe and the English Civil War. He had lost his leg in a riding accident and so he was appointed to Drogheda to ease into retirement.

Duleek Abbey began life as a monastic settlement when, in 450 AD, Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, established a bishopric there.

Duleek derives from the Irish Damhliag, meaning ‘stone house or church' and refers to the 5th Century construction, possibly the first stone building in Ireland and the ruins are still visible today.

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery, is one of Ireland's most important visual art spaces.

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery, which opened in 2006, is one of Ireland's most important visual art spaces. Serving the North East region, it presents a programme of national and international temporary exhibitions, as well as exhibitions drawn from the Drogheda Municipal Art Collection, a fascinating collection dating from the mid-18th century.

The area just south of Inbher Colpa (the mouth of the River Boyne) has some beautiful beaches stretching from the north of Mornington through Bettystown as far south as Laytown. Typical of the Boyne Valley, each of these coastal towns and villages has their own interesting folklore.

Kildemock Church, one of the Boyne Valley`s most puzzling mysteries can be found just outside Ardee in Co. Louth. The picturesque ruins are set against the backdrop of Carlingford and the Mourne Mountains. The history of the church dates back to the 12th century but it wasn`t until 1715 that this sacred place became shrouded in mystery.

The Martello tower atop Millmount takes pride of place overlooking Drogheda, one of Ireland's most picturesque medieval towns. Millmount's history dates back much further however. Local folklore says that Amergin, the great poet and son Míl is buried at Millmount. He is said to be the first Milesian to set foot in Ireland, on the banks of the Boyne, upon which he recited his famous poem. Amergin then divided Ireland into two kingdoms for his brother's éremón and Eber, using Millmount to mark the border between north and south.

The historic ruins of Monasterboice (Irish: Mainistir Bhuithe) are of an early Christian settlement in County Louth in Ireland, north of Drogheda. It was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buithe who died around 521, and was an important centre of religion and learning until the founding of nearby Mellifont Abbey in 1142.

The site houses two churches built in the 14th century or later and an earlier round tower, but it is most famous for its 10th century high crosses.

Mellifont Abbey was the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland. St Malachy of Armagh created it in 1142 with the help of a small number of monks sent by St Bernard from Clairvaux. The monks did not take well to Ireland and soon returned to France, but the abbey was completed anyway and duly consecrated with great pomp.