Drogheda needs to up its game and start using the beautiful built heritage left to us by previous generations to attract more visitors and to make it a more pleasant place to live.
Last week was National Heritage Week but, despite the fact that Drogheda is one of the most heritage rich towns/cities in the country, there was very little happening in the town.
Local historian Brendan Matthews hosted two talks in The Highlanes Gallery, one on Drogheda Port and the other about Drogheda’s forgotten artists the Tumalti Brothers, and that was more or less it.
Sorry, there was also an online seminar on Wednesday for volunteers and voluntary groups who help to care for our heritage.
The only other event with any reference to Drogheda was an exhibition of Drogheda merchant ledgers from 1723 – 1809 at the Louth County Archives Service which is in Dundalk.
Of the nine Heritage Week events to take place in County Louth five were in Carlingford, organised by the Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust, one was in Stabannon and the other was in Dundalk.
I know that there are restrictions in place due to Covid-19his displays a shocking disregard for our built heritage in this historic town of ours. Unlike other towns of similar size, such as Kilkenny or Derry for instance, we don’t take as much advantage as we should of the wonderful historic buildings in our midst.
It is a disgrace that nothing more has been done with Laurence’s Gate in the five years or so since popular opinion forced the closure of Laurence’s Gate to traffic.
Between them the OPW and the cash-starved Louth County Council have done precious little apart from installing a few large flower tubs and an inappropriate stainless steel hand rail at the 12th century barbican.
This is such a wasted opportunity. It would be lovely to see Laurence Street restored to its former glory with the Gate the crowning glory and what could be an amazing backdrop for all manner of outdoor events.
With a little imagination and enthusiasm on the part of the people who control our heritage sites this town could be transformed from the grim picture it presents today to one where people would be delighted to visit and spend some time.
Let’s think where they could go after they’ve visited Laurence’s Gate. Well, there’s the Tholsel at the other end of the street which houses the tourist office where they could pick up a map of the heritage trail perhaps starting at the Old Abbey.
From where they could cross the river to the Buttergate and proceed via a dedicated walkway (if it were there) to Millmount with its fabulous views and of course the museum.
The Glen would offer a different view including the remnants of the town wall and then it could well be time to stop for a meal in many of the nearby restaurants or a drink in any of Drogheda’s historic pubs.
Then there’s the historic churches and of course the Highlanes Gallery with its beautiful art collection and the old sword and mace. The following day could be a drive around the most historic corner of Ireland which is on our doorstep…I could go on but you get my drift.
None of this is new of course, we have been talking about Drogheda as a tourist destination and the “Gateway to the Boyne Valley” for at least half a century to my knowledge.
Perhaps now is the time for some leadership on this issue and that must come from a mix of people including Failte Ireland, the local authority, central government, the OPW and the business community.
It will require significant investment both of energy and ideas, as well as money of course, but we must get together now and start rattling the right cages.
