Charter Day gathering at the Tholsel on Nov 1
CHARTER Day, a day to commemorate the unification of Drogheda in 1412, takes place on Thursday 1 November at noon in The Tholsel.
‘ The signing of the town charter united the two towns back in 1412 – Drogheda South and Drogheda North. The Far Side, so to speak!’ said Mayor Frank Godfrey, who has initiated this momentous day.
Drogheda in Meath, which received a town charter in 1194, and Drogheda in Oriel were united on 1 November 1412, and Drogheda became a ‘County Corporate’, styled as ‘ the County of the Town of Drogheda’. Drogheda continued as a County Borough until the setting up of County Councils, through the enactment of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, which saw all of Drogheda, including a large area south of the Boyne, become part of an extended County Louth.
‘I feel that it is important to mark these historic events, these actions and charters that have shaped our town and future, and to remember them today and be proud of our history,’ said Mayor Godfrey. ‘I would like the greater Drogheda community to come out on 1 November and join in the commemoration of Charter Day.’
Meeting at the Tholsel, the charter will be read to the public. Historian Liam Reilly will then give a talk on the two Droghedas, the mayors and the Dominican priest, Fr Philip Bennett who brought the two sides together and unified Drogheda
History at the library
Louth Libraries will host a Festival of History taking place from Tuesday 30 October to Saturday 3 November in all five branch libraries.
Bringing together historians from across the country, this festival will address the centenary of significant events in 1918 such as the end of the Great War, the Representation of the People Act, the rise of nationalism and threats to unionism, the decline of John Redmond and the Irish Parliamentary Party’s prominence.
Attendance is free but booking essential.
The week kicks off in Dunleer at 6pm on October 30th with a talk on Unionism in 1918 and also at the same time in Drogheda library, women in the IRA and in employment.
Ardee library hosts John Redmond’s story on November 3 at 2.30pm.
For full festival details please consult the library website: www.louthcoco.ie/libraries and for bookings please phone the relevant branch library. Drogheda library 041-9876162 , Dundalk library 042- 9353190 . Ardee Library 041-6859023, Dunleer Library 041-6859016, Carlingford Library 0429324113 . General Email: libraryhelpdesk@louthcoco.ie
Humpty in the TLT
For the first time ever The classic nursery Rhyme Humpty Dumpty is brought to the TLT stage in this wonderful live interactive all singing and dancing production.
Sing along; solve puzzles, and meet lots of famous children’s charters along the way including, The Three Little Pigs, Little Bo Peep and all the animals on Old MacDonald’s Farm and many more!
With amazing costumes, dazzling stage sets and a host of colourful characters to bring you on the journey of a lifetime.
It’s in the TLT on November 4th, tickets €10.