Gate became a national monument in 1964
IT WAS only in March 1964 that St Laurence’s Gate was given its true place in Irish heritage when it was taken over as a National Monument.
This piece of good news was imparted to then Mayor, Ald Peter Moore, and colleagues - when they visited Dublin to discuss the matter with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, Mr. Donagh O’Malley.
Following months of negotiations to get the ancient gateway into a proper state of preservation, Ald. Moore and other members of the Council decided that the best way to speed matters up was to seek a personal interview with the authorities.
The mayor, Colr. Pat Carr, former Town Clerk, Mr. Joseph Carr (who is a prominent member of the Co. Louth Archaeological Society) and Mr. James Higgins, the Assistant Borough Engineer, were on the delegation.
And the hour long chat which the deputation had with Mr. O’Malley, proved very fruitful. Not alone did the Parliamentary Secretary agree to have St. Laurence’s Gate taken over as a National Monument, but he agreed that it should, almost immediately, be put into a spate of repair befitting such a historic and valuable building.
And further good news for the deputation was the fact that although the project would cost over £1,000, the levy on Drogheda Corporation would only be £400.