The glorious days of the Buttergate in its prime
Our thanks to photographer Des Clinton for three extraordinary images of the Buttergate area going back the decades.
Des believes that they are undertaker Jack Moore and left, his son, Kevin, while below is the Buttergate in better days.
60 years ago this year, part of the Gate - in the spotlight recently after local volunteers went on site to tidy it up - and the location subsequently sealed off, was taken down due to safety fears.
The Drogheda Independent reported at the time - ‘From the top, the workmen are removing stones discoloured with the dust of ages. And stones and mortar that stood firm in dignified style through centuries of strife and turmoil are now toppling to the ground.
‘Grass and ivy have got a grip on the old relic. Bits and pieces have been falling off for a time and now hammers and crow-bars are being used to level it to the ground.
‘One particular source, Thomas Markey of Beamore Road, says that it has been there since about the 13th century, that it was built by the Knights Hospitallers (who had an Abbey at the bottom of Ball’s Grove) and that those seeking passage through the Gate had to pay a toll of butter for the upkeep of the Abbey. The name Butter Gate would seem to have its origin from the toll.
‘According to another source some of the old Gate was shipped to America for ballast.
‘Said a Drogheda-born archaeologist: “In my opinion, if the authorities spent as much money on preserving the old walls as they did on abolishing them, it would be more to their credit.”