St Laurence's Gate: A Brief History

St Laurence Gate, a 13th Century Barbican gate, is situated at the top of Laurence Street in Drogheda. It is the last remaining Barbican gate in the town. The gate and the street are named after the old priory of St. Laurence which once stood on the grounds of the Chord Road cemetery. Very little remains of the original medieval town walls which once enclosed and protected the town. On the south side of St. Laurence gate, there is a beautiful example of this wall which can be viewed by the public. The gate was an outer defence gate but this wasn't one of the main routes into town which may explain why it was so well preserved. Anyone wanting access to the town from this route had first to come through the Barbican, over a drawbridge above the town ditch and then through the town gate. The gate also made a very practical sea lookout, allowing views far down the Boyne and out to the Irish Sea. In May 2016 Kevin Callan took a photo of a truck stuck under the gate and this was the beginning of the Close the Gate campaign. On the first Monday in April 2017 the campaign presented its argument to the Drogheda Municipal Borough Council (DMBC) and on the 18th May 2017, the DMBC voted to close the gate. It was officially closed to traffic on the 18th August 2017. Music at the Gate is a lovely community get together that sees local musicians, dancers and singers come to entertain the crowds with their various talents. This takes place at Laurence Gate, hence the name, if you are lucky enough to be in Drogheda when this is taking place you should make sure to catch a session. The gate is open to the public a few times a year. Tickets for this can be purchased from the Arts Centre but must be purchased in advance.