OPW to consider how to protect medieval gate from traffic

The OPW has confirmed that it will meet with Louth County Council to look at steps needed to protect a 14th-century gate that is being used by, and sometimes struck by, HGVs and other vehicles.

The Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Sean Canney has told local representatives that the optimum solution would be closing the gate to traffic.

The imposing St Laurence's Gate, which is a barbican and part of the original medieval Drogheda town wall is, according to Fáilte Ireland, "widely regarded as one of the finest of its kind in Europe".

The gate consists of two circular towers connected together by a wall.

The gate is on one of the main access routes to the east of the town centre.

Although the traffic is now one-way, it has been struck by vehicles from time to time, and trucks have attempted, unsuccessfully, to make their way through it.

The OPW confirmed that it’s heritage service is “responsible for the protection of the St Laurence’s Gate, which is a National Monument in Guardianship”.