Drogheda

Drogheda (drô'udu, droi'du) [key], town (1991 pop. 24,656), 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.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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