Located in the shadow of the beautiful St. Laurence's Gate and in the middle of Drogheda's Music Quarter, McHugh's pub is synonymous with the creamiest pints and best of entertainment. History, Tradition, and Modernity are what we are all about.

Surrounded by history, you can touch the stone of the 12th Century St. Laurence's Gate. This was the Gate that guarded the town from the East. You can sense the stories and events that occurred there through the ages. It is the best architectural example of it’s type in Europe and a replica of the Gate was used to showcase Ireland at the World Fair in 1904. Legend has it that there is an underground tunnel linking St. Laurence's Gate to the Cord Cemetery. You can travel by foot for 3 minutes to see this old gothic graveyard. It is where Ireland's famous highwayman, Collier The Robber, is laid to rest. Traveling south from the pub for 1 minute will bring you to the famous River Boyne. Named after the Goddess Boann this is Ireland's Spiritual River and has the same translated meaning as The Ganges, The Nile, and The Jordan. The stones that built Newgrange, St. Patrick, and the Vikings all sailed up the Boyne and this is where Fionn MacCumhaill caught the Salmon of Knowledge. In 1690 two Kings fought for a crown and religious domination on the River. During the Famine, the Boyne was the second busiest port in Ireland ferrying poor souls out of the country. Today it is beginning to get it’s proper use as a beautiful amenity.

Our Venue, The Barrel, is a modern masterpiece of engineering that has hosted many acts from the famous to the beginners. It can hold 550 standing or can be sized down to an intimate 100 depending on the mood of the show. We have an excellent in-house PA, professional sound engineer, comfortable Green Room, new lighting rig, large screen, and projector and with load in right beside the stage this is the Venue that ticks all the boxes for both artists and concertgoers. Acts that have played The Barrel Venue include Horslips, Aslan, Chris Slade from AC/DC, Natty Wailer from Bob Marley's Group, The Stunning, Damien Dempsey, Kila, The Wolfe Tones, Chris Holmes from W.A.S.P. and we have lots more to come. It's not just the music that we cater to. Big Sporting events, milestone birthday parties, Christenings, and special party events have all had their nights in The Barrel Venue.

Tradition is the main feature of McHugh's. From the late 19th Century shopfront design to the family-owned ethos of the bar. You will always enjoy your stay with us. If it's a sport you want, you can sit in comfort and not miss any of the action. If it's music you are after then we have Folk Nights, Trad Nights, and Covers Nights to choose from. A quiet pint you say? Take a seat in our Snug where the conversation is King. Or for something different, play the ancient game of Rings. McHughs won the Louth League in 2017 and is a proud patron of this Irish Sport. Guinness is always on flow and is regarded as the best pint in Drogheda or you can sample some local draught or some of the other big names. The choice is always fresh and tasty.

If the weather is smiling on us then you can catch the rays in our brand new Beer Garden. With no large buildings to block the Sun's path, you will have uninterrupted sunshine from Rising to Fall. We also have music piped in the garden but at a very relaxing volume so kick back and enjoy it all with us here in McHughs where customers become friends.