Drogheda
[key], town, Co. Louth, E central Republic of Ireland, on the Boyne River.
The town has a port that exports agricultural products (especially to
Liverpool). Industries include cement-processing works, breweries,
ironworks, and linen, cotton, and lumber mills. Salmon are caught in the
Boyne. Drogheda was a Danish stronghold in the 10th cent. In 1394 the Irish
princes of Leinster and Ulster submitted there to Richard II. Poynings's Law
(see under Poynings, Sir
Edward) was enacted in Drogheda in the 15th cent. Oliver
Cromwell stormed
the town in 1649 and massacred the inhabitants. The battle of the Boyne was fought at Drogheda in 1690. Of
the ancient town gates, St. Lawrence's Gate on the east side remains.
Magdalen Steeple is the only part left of the Dominican abbey founded in
1224. There are ruins of a priory from the time of Edward I. Notable
prehistoric remains are nearby at Brú na Bóinne.
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