One of Drogheda’s most beloved and iconic landmarks, the thatched cottage once home to the Harty family on Crushrod Avenue, is being brought back to life.
After years of wear and tear, the house is currently undergoing a beautiful restoration, and is set to begin a new chapter as a café.
For generations, the cottage was the heart of a local farming enterprise.
The Harty family owned a large portion of the land along the Ballymakenny Road, much of which is now being developed for new housing.
Many locals will fondly remember the last two brothers to live there, Francie and Oliver, who passed away in recent decades.
They were a familiar sight, regularly herding their cattle up and down the road for milking.
Last week, a skilled thatcher was busy at work, replacing the old, crumbling roof with a new layer of straw.
This delicate and historic craft is giving the cottage a much-needed upgrade, ensuring its unique character is preserved for years to come.
The cottage’s future as a café is part of a wider development.
Just next door, a new apartment complex with 55 flats has been finished, and new residents are expected to move in shortly.
As a condition of the planning permission for this project, the cottage must be permanently preserved and restored, allowing it to remain a beautiful and lasting link to Drogheda’s past.
We look forward to seeing this historic gem open its doors again, ready to serve as a hub for the new community while honouring the legacy of the Harty family and the land they worked for so long.
