‘It’s sad to see very iconic structures go to rack and ruin,’ says Drogheda councillor
The Drogheda Independent“Drogheda’s treasured historical sites must be protected and preserved for future generations,” according to a Louth councillor who called for maintenance and conservation of local monuments.
Cllr. Debbie McCole submitted a motion to the January meeting of Drogheda Borough District asking Louth County Council to write to the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) “to request he commits to initiating a routine and regular maintenance and conservation schedule of Magdelene Tower, The Buttergate, The Old Abbey, Lawrence Gate and the Town Walls.”
She added there is “significant vegetation growing that may damage all of these historical structures.”
In a written response Thomas McEvoy, Director of Service, Economic Delivery, said the OPW has responsibility for National Monuments in State Care.
He outlined that there are 23 such monuments in County Louth, one of which is St. Laurence’s Gate, adding that the council will write to the Minister to request he commits to initiating a routine and a regular maintenance and conservation schedule for St. Laurence’s Gate.
Louth County Council have responsibility for the maintenance of Magdelene Tower, the Old Abbey, The Buttergate and the Town Walls.
Mr. McEvoy explained the council had previously undertaken works to these structures, including the Old Abbey where a Conservation Study was carried out in 2015 and works recommended had been carried out the following year.
"The Community Monument Fund is the funding stream for works to conserve and maintain archaeological monuments and historic sites. Funding can also be sourced from the Irish Walled Towns Network, which in 2025 funded a conservation assessment of the upstanding section of the Town Wall, east of Featherbed Lane. This project is ongoing.”
He added that in 2025 Louth County Council was successful in applications under the CMF Fund for three studies and surveys in Drogheda relating to monuments in the ownership/guardianship of the council including the circuit of Drogheda’s town walls, the Magdelene Tower and the West gable of the North Aisle of ‘The Old Abbey.
Applications for funding under the 2026 Community Monuments Fund are currently open until 13th February.
The council’s Heritage Officer will submit a number of funding applications for Drogheda under the Community Monuments Fund.
Cllr. McCole welcomed the response, and the commitment to engage with the Minister on OPW managed monuments.
Cllr. Paddy McQuillan supported the motion, saying that maintenance work is needed at St. Laurence’s Gate.
Mayor Michelle Hall added her support, saying that Magdelene Tower “does really need some tlc, with bedding and a planting programme” to improve the area around it.
Cllr. Pio Smith agreed that works are needed at Magdelene Tower, where windows installed to keep pigeons out have been broken for the last few years.
Cllr. Anne Marie Ford also supported he motion, saying: “It is sad to see very iconic structures in our town let go to rack and ruin. Once they are gone they are gone”
“I do think investment is essential to preserve them.”