Much of Drogheda’s rich history is embedded in Christian heritage

Dear Sir,

As a follow on to John McCullen’s excellent letter regarding the proposed name change of Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, I would like to bring to your readers’ attention the extent to which our local history is embedded in our Catholic heritage.

Drogheda has 54 locations that are of religious origin going back hundreds of years, with reference to 23 saints.

The municipal authorities designated these names to be memorialised for the future, let’s not deny this heritage.

Below are 12 Saints who amount to 80% of the locations (43) that have saintly origins:

Saint; Mary (seven locations), Patrick (five) Peter (five), Laurence (five), Dominic (four), Magdalene (four), Catherine (three), Brigid (two), James (two), John (two), Oliver Plunkett (two) and Sunday – yes, there is a St Sunday (two)! These Saints cover 43 locations in Drogheda.

The other 11 locations have the following Saintly references;

Domhnait, Fionnan, Mochta (Marian Park), Michael and Rita (Pearse Park), Anthony, Finian, Joseph, Mark, John Paul and Teresa.

Some of the street signage remains, though most are obscured or lost.

Next time you take your walk through the streets and lanes of Drogheda, look up. You will probably find a saint! Yours, Emmet Doran, Drogheda

Anne Keeley, Employer Relations with Lisa Dunbar, Lisa Dunbar Health and Marie Fleming, Anglo Printers at the Network Ireland Louth February Event, Member Spotlight and discussion on Business Woman of the Year Awards at Creative Spark, Dundalk.