Drogheda Life officially marked a new chapter on Friday, November 7th, with a launch celebration hosted at The Marcy Hotel, the evening’s sponsor. The event brought together local business owners, community leaders, politicians, journalists and supporters to celebrate the brand’s relaunch and future vision.
The night was hosted by local broadcaster Claire Regan, with speeches from Mayor Michelle Hall, Drogheda Life founder Andy Spearman, and the publication’s new publisher and owner Katie Kierans. Live music from Conor Judge set the tone for an evening full of energy, optimism, and community spirit.
In her address, Kierans spoke about taking the leap into local media, describing it as a “full circle moment” that connected her family’s legacy in media and print with Drogheda Life’s 15-year history under Spearman’s leadership.
“Andy, you’ve created something really special — something authentic, trusted, and deeply rooted in this town,” she said. “I bring a different skill set and fresh ideas, but our hearts for this brand are completely aligned. Drogheda deserves a strong, trusted, modern local voice that celebrates what’s on, what’s new, and what matters most.”
The event reflected that vision, with a guest list that included local business owners, community partners, and representatives from Drogheda Women’s Refuge, Drogheda Life’s chosen charity partner for the year.
Kierans highlighted the vital role of family-run businesses in the publication’s relaunch, acknowledging early supporters such as the Sherlock sisters of The Marcy Hotel, the McGowan brothers of Peggy Moore’s and Scholars, and the Leddy family of the TLT Theatre. “It says so much about Drogheda and the kind of community we have here, where local families back one another and invest in the town’s future together.”
As part of the night’s celebrations, guests took part in a raffle with Love Drogheda vouchers as prizes to encourage everyone to support local retailers this Christmas. The evening also featured a custom cake from JMakesCakes, décor by LL Balloons, banners and printing by Anglo Printers, and photography by Jenny Callanan.
Looking ahead, Kierans shared plans for Drogheda Life’s growth: “Local media can evolve, stay relevant, and bring people together in new ways,” she said. “We’re building Drogheda Life to be a trusted, modern, community-driven brand that reflects the real Drogheda, its creativity, its energy, and its people.”
The evening closed on a high note, blending nostalgia for Drogheda Life’s roots with excitement for its next phase. As Kierans summed it up, “Drogheda Life might be a business on paper, but to me, it’s personal. It’s purpose. It’s community.”
Photo by Jenny Callanan
