Sinn Féin Councillor Debbie McCole has welcomed confirmation from Louth County Council that the Office of Public Works will be alerted to the need for regular maintenance and conservation of St Laurence’s Gate.
Cllr McCole raised concerns after reports of overgrown vegetation, which she warned could damage the historic structure. She said the town is fortunate to have landmarks like St Laurence’s Gate, Magdalene Tower, The Buttergate, The Old Abbey, and the Town Walls, but stressed the importance of maintaining them for future generations.
Louth County Council confirmed that while St Laurence’s Gate falls under OPW care as a National Monument, the Council is responsible for preserving the other structures. A conservation study in 2015 led to works completed in 2016, but funding applications for further assessments of the Town Walls, Magdalene Tower, and parts of the Old Abbey in 2025 were unsuccessful.
Cllr McCole added that the Heritage Officer plans to apply to the Community Monuments Fund this year to continue conservation efforts. She also noted that the Irish Walled Towns Network funded a conservation assessment of the Town Wall east of Featherbed Lane in 2025, and work on this project is ongoing.
