Drogheda

Seaport, industrial town, and borough 50 km/31 mi from Dublin, and 6 km/4 mi from the estuary of the River Boyne, in County Louth, Republic of Ireland; population (2002) 28,300. The port trades in cattle and textiles; industries include chemicals, foodstuffs, brewing, linen, cotton, and engineering. The salmon fishery in the Boyne has its centre here. In 1649 the town was stormed by English general Oliver Cromwell, who massacred most of the garrison, and in 1690 it surrendered to William III after the Battle of the Boyne.

The whole of the Boyne Valley is an area of historical and archaeological interest. In Drogheda itself, the St Lawrence gateway still remains of the ancient walls, and there are relics of the Augustinian abbey (1206), built on the site of an earlier monastery founded by St Patrick, and the Dominican friary (1224). Richard III held court here in 1394. On occasion, Irish parliamentary sessions were held at Drogheda. Poyning's Law was passed here in 1494; this law stipulated that all future laws made in the Irish parliament had to be ratified by the Privy Council in England.

The well-preserved and extensive ruins of Mellifont Abbey (1142), Ireland's first Cistercian monastery, are situated 10 km/6 mi west of Drogheda.