History of the Society

The Old Drogheda Society was founded in 1964 by a group of local people with a view to preserving the medieval core of Drogheda. Over the years its membership has grown to over 400. The Society draws its membership not only locally , but from various parts of Ireland as well as Great Britain , Germany and some as far afield as America and Australia.

 

The provision of a museum for Drogheda where items of local historical interest could be displayed and preserved had been one of the aims and objectives of the Society since its foundation.

In 1974, when the partial restoration of the Army barracks at Millmount was completed the Old Drogheda Society was given a room to house it's artifacts. As the collection grew,more space was required.The former Officer's Quarters were acquired and now Millmount Museum is housed on three floors in the 19th century building. In 1994, the Society acquired the 18th century Governor's House, incorporating the administrative offices ,Lecture Theatre/Conference Centre, and a research library.

The Martello Tower restored by Drogheda Corporation has been open since June 2000.

The Old Drogheda Society are very active in promoting events, like the John Boyle O'Reilly School, usually held on the second Sunday of September.A comprehensive programme of lectures, day and evening excursions is organised each year.

Evening outings to places of local historical interest occur in May and June, while the Winter and Spring months are occupied with the running of lectures on various historical themes. There is also a President's Lunch held each year before Christmas on the first Sunday of December. The Society also runs a weekend away for members and guests, in 2009 going as far as Rome, while previous trips included Oxford, York and Scotland.

Members receive copies of ODS & ENDS, the Society newsletter and current and previous copies also are available on the website.

The

The Publications Committee produce a bi-annual journal together with various other books relative to the History of Drogheda and the area. For a full list of publications see publications

The Monuments Preservation Committee keep a watching brief on any new developments in the town and are active in ensuring the preservation of its antiquities.

2008/2009 Old Drogheda Society Committee

                  

President         Pat Fulham    

Chairperson     Seán Corcoran                              Vice Chairperson        Mary McDonough - Malone 

Hon Secretary  Pat Hanratty            Joint Treasurers        Seamus Dolan &  Carmel Doherty

Registrar          Betty Quinn                                                                  

Journal Editor   Tom Winters

Committee -     Deirdre Howard - Russell           John Devitt          Eamonn Thornton

    

                        John McGovern       Margaret Clinton    Don Byrne           Noel Bailey

                       Ian Russell                Jim Gargan