200th Anniversary of Millmount Martello Tower

On Saturday December 13th, the Old Drogheda Society commemorated the 200th anniversary of the building of Millmount Martello Tower with a programme of events.The tower was one of several built along the east coast of Ireland and the south coast of England in anticipation of a French invasion led by Napoleon. It was completed in 1808.

Proceedings started with a group of re- enactors dressed in Napoleonic Wars period costume marched from West Street to Millmount, led by a lone piper. Then two 9lb cannons, replicas of the original 1808 weapons which were recently installed on the tower were fired for the first time. Chairman of the Old Drogheda Society, Seán Corcoran thanked Boyd Rankin of Irish Arms who procured and installed the guns, project leader Noel Bailey of the Old Drogheda Society, and the society's President, Mr. Pat Fulham who donated many of the weapons for an new military exhibition in the tower, and all of the people who helped with the mounting of the cannons and weaponry exhibition .

Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Frank Maher opened the new display which includes weapons , uniforms, medals and photographs covering a period from 1649 to 1922. The death mask of Dowth born patriot, John Boyle O'Reilly was unveiled by Michael Kenny of the National Museum of Ireland.

The Sword and Mace given to the town of Drogheda by William of Orange were also on display, on loan from Drogheda Borough Council.

A new book by Brendan Matthews " A Tower of Strength" outlining the history of Millmount was launched followed by a reception and the Museum and Tower were open free of charge to the public .

To view footage of the firing of the cannons click www.youtube.com/watch?v=kztG1_Hhob0

Pól Ó Duibhir's article on the firing of the cannons http://www.photopol.com/millmount/millmount.html

Boyd Rankin of Irish Arms with one of the new cannons    Muskets Firing on the battlements of Millmount Tower

Photo  by Drogheda Independent  

                    

Images of the 200th Anniversary of Millmount Tower on Saturday December 13th