Drogheda and the Boyne
Drogheda from the Boyne Viaduct.
Image courtesy of The Irish TimesDrogheda and the Boyne
Image courtesy of The Irish Times
Image courtesy of The Irish Times
Drogheda and the Boyne
Drogheda from the Boyne Viaduct.
Image courtesy of The Irish TimesDrogheda is one of Ireland's oldest and most historical towns. It is situated only 28 miles from Dublin. According to the census in 2006, the town's population including suburbs was 35,090. This makes it the largest town in Ireland.
Drogheda takes its name from the irish Droichead Átha, which means "Bridge of the Ford". It is unusual in the sense that the town lies in two seperate counties, County Louth and County Meath.
River Boyne
Boyne Bridge
The Boyne Bridge is the largest bridge project in this country in recent decades.
Image courtesy of Louth County LibraryBoyne Bridge
Image courtesy of Louth County Library
Image courtesy of Louth County Library
Boyne Bridge
The Boyne Bridge is the largest bridge project in this country in recent decades.
Image courtesy of Louth County LibraryThe River Boyne is roughly 70 miles long and reaches the sea just outside Drogheda. The Boyne River Bridge, which carries the M1 motorway (the Dublin to Belfast route) crosses it just to the west of Drogheda. Also, the Boyne Viaduct carries the Dublin-Belfast railway line to the east of Drogheda.
The Boyne Viaduct is a 98ft high railway bridge in Drogheda. It was the seventh bridge of its kind in the world when built and considered one of the wonders of the age. It was built by the Irish engineer Sir John MacNeill in the 1850s. The first train, which wighed 75 tons made its way across the river on May 11, 1853. The bridge was eventually completed in 1855.