Location: Drogheda
Top Things to do in Drogheda
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What to do and see in Drogheda, Ireland: The Best Places and Tips
Drogheda (/ˈdrɒhədə/; /ˈdrɔːdə/; Irish: Droichead Átha, meaning "bridge of the ford") is one of the oldest towns in Ireland. It is known for its tourism and as a centre of industry and medical care. It is located in County Louth on the Dublin-Belfast corridor on the east coast of Ireland, 49 km or 30 miles north of Dublin, with a population of approximately 41,000 inhabitants (2016). It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Newgrange is located 8 km to west of the town.
Restaurants in Drogheda
1. St Peter's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By Rose W - Ireland
The visit to Drogheda has to be started at this spot, to understand the life of Oliver Plunkett. A useful, informative, computer interface stall, provides the visitor background information. Oliver was cruelly treated in England, where he was hung, drawn and quartered, a terrible injustice was done to this now Saint. His influence over Ireland has been huge, from his founding of a Jesuit College in 1670, in Drogheda, which welcomed Protestant and Catholic students, the first Integrated school, in Ireland.
2. Bru na Boinne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Space is limited each day to 650 people, but it is well-worth the visit. The site is 5,000 years old, which makes it older than the pyramids. Historians was once believed Newgrange was a passage tomb, but now is believed to be an ancient temple.
Reviewed By Rebecca B - Dunedin
This place is testament to what funding to encourage visitors can do. We had booked tickets for Newgrange online, and expected the visitor centre to be a tiny pokey shack. Instead we found a huge visitor centre, architecturally designed to fit with the surrounding environment. Friendly staff, an informative display, and lovely cafe with generous servings of food (highly recommend the vegetable soup!) made for a pleasant wait before our tour. Go early if you want to take a tour and haven't booked online, as tickets sell fast!
3. Irish Military War Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 222 reviews
The Irish Military War Museum and family park,offers a fascinating insight into Irish participants' involvement in both World War One and World War Two, as well as other military conflicts in world history. The Irish Military War Museum, covering 5,000 square feet of floor space, will represent a distinctly non-political but 'must see' educational and historical resource for people of all ages and from right across the island of Ireland and beyond.
Reviewed By Karen F
Excellent day out William was very helpful. Delighted to see the two boys in their element. Great display and pod for information for the displays. We will be certainly be visiting again. New time we will pre book the tank drive. Excellent day had by all. Well done keep up the great work
4. Newgrange Falconry
Overall Ratings
5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By ozzy_horse - Waterford, Ireland
Absolutely loved our falconry display with Brian! He is so passionate about his birds and has fantastic knowledge! He showed us a great selection from owls to eagles to hawks and falcons. Great photo opportunities and finished with a hawk walk! Would highly recommend, thanks so much Brian!
5. Funtasia Bettystown
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 28 reviews
Welcome to the seaside town of Bettystown and what better way to spend time here than at a Fun Fair extravaganza at Funtasia. 3 levels of Fairground thrill seeking excitement awaits you with our Ferris Wheel, Gyro Loop, Balloon Ride, Drop Zone and more. Along with Irelands only “Rooftop Fair Ground” Funtasia offers a Fairground experience for all the family to enjoy.
Reviewed By Corcreechy - Belfast, United Kingdom
First off, this isnt the type of place I like anyway. So take my review with a pinch of salt.
It is extremely noisy, with literally hundreds of machines all playing different loud music.
Everything costs a lot, we spent 50 euro within an hour.
Our daughters gave it a 3 and 4 out of five respectively.
We probably would have given it an extra star it there were directional signs inside the place, and staff were nicer.
6. Mellifont Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By permia - Ireland
What's preserved here is wonderful and we are fortunate to have such a sacred site from the past still a part of our heritage.
Being the first Irish Cistercian monastery to be established in the early 1140s by St Malachy, the Chapter House is the best extant building. This was where the monks gathered to read chapters of the founding Saint's writings. Inside is breathtaking. Impressive slender columns arch upwards from the stone benches where they sat. Probably the most precious and revered treasures of the total site are here, namely the original floor tiles.
Another outstanding construct is the octagonal Lavabo which is in good condition. This served an important role, where the celebrants washed their hands before the ceremonies.
Not too far away is the new Abbey that is well worth seeing. It has a small community nowadays, only about 6 or 7 monks. Guests are accepted, those who wish to escape modern life for a few days tranquility and meditation. If these are present, normally only the lovely church is available for viewing by outside visitors.
7. Newgrange
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
Reviewed By Brandi P - Carrollton, Texas, United States
Stopped on my way back to Dublin from the north. Didn't have tickets but it was a weekday in winter so decided to go for it. We had awesome weather and the countryside around it is lovely. Easy parking and got tickets right away. Be sure to go to the visitor center at Bru na boinne and not the tomb. Our tour guide Maeve was awesome, you could tell she really loved the site which made hearing her talk about it even more exciting. I loved how they recreate the winter solstice for everyone to get a sense of the magic. It is hard to fathom the people who built this. Definitely check it out!
8. Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By preglad - New York
A visit to Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb in Donore is typically doubled up with one to Newgrange, leaving some to feel it's more a shadow in value as a tourist attraction. There's far less immediate contact internally in terms of the ancient structures, and that little variation is one of minimal exposure internally.
However, from a different perspective, there's considerably more to see at Knowth as it encompasses so many structures over so much land. Here we walked around on our own , able to get more of an undistracted feel for the surroundings and atmosphere.
The dual ticket with bus rides is a great value and the basis of a fine extended half day with breakfast or lunch, whether purchased in conjunction with the OPW Heritage Card or on an individual admission basis.
9. Dowth Passage Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By permia - Ireland
We were somewhat taken aback when first we saw the site. Almost completely covered with plentiful furze bushes and the occasional tree, combined with the absence of visitors, it rested undisturbed in its pastoral setting.
A few information signs explained that two passageways are within the mound, but they are much smaller than those in the more famous neighbouring ones. Entry to the mound is not possible.
Walking around we saw some of the kerbstones and the ancient drawings upon them. Ascending to the rim of the mound presented fine vistas of the countryside.
10. Monasterboice Monastic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
Reviewed By mac09 - lake geneva, wi
We incorporated a visit to Monasterboice on the same day as touring Newgrange, Knowth, Old Millifont Abbey, and Old Bridge Estates. We stayed in Drogheda and all of the above are wishing 10-15 minutes of each other. It made for an excellent day of touring. Monasterboice is the historic ruins of an early Christian settlement. It has spectacular high crosses and a magnificent high round tower. The countryside surrounding it is peaceful and serene. There is no admission charge. It's a bit hard to find, but Google Maps is amazing and will get you anywhere in Ireland!
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