Drogheda Day event
Mayor Godfrey wants September 15 to be a special day for the townspeople
THE 370th anniversary of Cromwell’s sack of Drogheda occurs in 2019 and to mark this infamous date, Mayor Frank Godfrey is putting forward the idea of a Drogheda Day!
‘ This is a unique day in the town’s history and we should mark it – especially for the 370th anniversary. The town was surrounded by Cromwell’s army for a week before they broke through the walls, soldiers and civilians were massacred – it is still remembered all over Ireland – we should remember this event and those who were killed here during this time. They were defenders and martyrs,’ said Mayor Godfrey, who suggested that a memorial should be erected in their memory.
‘Cromwell is the most infamous name in Irish history – and he ransacked our town back in 1649. He camped outside it, broke through the town walls up in Mary Street, then killed all the Royalist soldiers in Millmount, led by Lord Aston, and there’s much debate as to how many of the town’s civilians were killed during that week-long battle. Estimates say up to 3,000 were slaughtered,’ said Mayor Godfrey.
‘However, as a town we should mark this event that happened back in September 1649 – let’s start with an event this year leading into bigger commemorations for the 370th anniversary next year,’ he continued.
‘We should have a day special for our town, like the 4 July for Americans, or 17 March for all the Irish, but when Cromwell left our town should be marked in some way, especially for the 370th. This is not about glorifying Cromwell’s time in Drogheda but about celebrating his departure, and commemorating the martyrs and civilians who died then.
He is planning to have Sepember 15th 2018 as the first Drogheda Day and plans events in Millmount and around town.
‘I want it to be a day for the people and I’d welcome any suggestions,’ he stated.
Contact Mayor Godfrey on 086-6060261 / email : frank.godfrey@louthcoco.ie.