13 Best Things To Do In Drogheda, Ireland

things to do in drogheda ireland
Ibrahim
Ibrahim 
Updated
| 6 min read

Nestled in between Dublin and Dundalk is Drogheda. This quaint city has been named the oldest destination in Ireland, making it an alluring place to see and experience. Located in the River Boyne Valley, this region has several historical spots as well as amazing sites of cultural interest. From exploring the large passage tombs at the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site to listening to the stories of strength, politics, and war in several museums—you will always find something engaging to do in this town. Visit the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne and see an exhibition on this epic war. The city also has a lot of excellent pubs and exquisite dining options. The town’s small size makes getting around very easy, and the numerous choices of properties to reside in ensure you have a memorable time. Enjoy the most educational tour with these top things to do in Drogheda, Ireland. Scroll down to read our handpicked activities for you.

1. Tour the magnificent Millmount Fort

Millmount Fort
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user for74d05 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Millmount Fort is a massive building sitting on top of mold on the south bank of the Boyne. This historical landmark played a significant role in the defense of the city. The site has been standing since before the 17th century and was even still actively used during the civil war. Now, the entire compound housing the venue has become Millmount Cultural Quarter, with features like a food market, art galleries, craft studios, a cafe, and the town museum. It’s an experience you can’t afford to miss.

Millmount Fort

Address: Millmount, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm; Sun: 2pm - 5pm

Visited this place?

2. Watch an exciting stage performance at Tommy Leddy Theatre

Posted by Oba Nla Concert on Thursday, 8 November 2018

Tommy Leddy Theatre is a remarkable 900-seater playhouse in the heart of this small city. It is one of the most significant stage entertainment centers in the entire country. It plays hosts to several exciting live shows and performances every week. It is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, lighting, and sound system. It’s a great place to visit for lovers of theatre and music. It also has a full bar and a snack shop, with retractable seats for an even more comfortable viewing experience. it is a premium entertainment hall you would want to check out.

Tommy Leddy Theatre

Address: Matthew’s Ln, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland

Website: Tommy Leddy Theatre

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 6pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm

Visited this place?

3. Admire the magnificent medieval walls at the iconic Saint Laurence's Gate

St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, Ireland. www.EverIrishGifts.com. Authentic and Stress-free!

Posted by Ever Irish Gifts on Saturday, 11 February 2017

The entire city was one enclosed by massive walls, and the most important reminder of this fact is Saint Laurence’s Gate. The gate is the main entrance into the town from the east and has been used for several important purposes for centuries. Admire the magnificent medieval walls that protected against rival attacks. Built in the 13th century, the gate’s building has two four-story structures joined on top by a bridge. It was also used as an observatory tower.

Saint Laurence's Gate

Address: St Laurence Street, Drogheda, Ireland

Visited this place?

4. Check out beautiful arts at Highlanes Gallery

Beyond the Pale: The art of Revolution at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Ireland.

Posted by Highlanes Drogheda on Friday, 6 May 2016

Originally built as a church, Highlanes Gallery is an open-plan space where amazing works of art are displayed. The gallery is home to a lot of exciting exhibitions—including sculptures, paintings, and abstract works—that are awe-inspiring. The gallery officially opened in 2006 and boasts Drogheda’s Municipal Art Collection. It also has an impressive collection of pieces by 20th-century women artists. There is a spot where temporary exhibitions are held occasionally, showcasing the best of the city’s arts and beyond. Highlanes organizes workshops for kids during the holiday season as well.

Highlanes Gallery

Address: 36 St Laurence St, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 F7PH, Ireland

Website: Highlanes Gallery

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

5. Visit the historic Mellifont Abbey

Mellifont Abbey I haven't been to Mellifont Abbey, Drogheda Co. Louth Ireland in years, since I was a kid. It still...

Posted by Mark Duffy Photography on Tuesday, 31 July 2018

The first Cistercian monastery in the country, Mellifont Abbey was built in 1142. Although the site was dissolved during the Reformation, it was then converted into a fortified house and used as an army base during the Battle of the Boyne in the late 1600s. Today, this fascinating area is recognized as the National Monument of Ireland. It has a visitor center where an enthralling exhibition on stonemasonry in the Middle Ages is on display. It’s an excellent place for outdoor lovers to visit.

Mellifont Abbey

Address: Collon, Co. Louth, A92 YP73, Ireland

Website: Mellifont Abbey

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 10am - 3pm

Price: 4 - 6 USD

Visited this place?

6. Take a stroll inside Magdalene Tower

St Mary Magdalene Friary Drogheda Co Louth The Magdalene Tower was the belfry tower of the once extensive Dominican...

Posted by Ireland of a Thousand Welcomes on Monday, 25 May 2015

Magdalene Tower is the only remaining part of a 13th-century Dominican friary. This historic tower has a fantastic medieval architecture with features like an ogival arch, window grilles, and merlons, all from the ancient times. Catch a glimpse of this majestic tower, tour its well-preserved interior, and see the marks left over from years of wear and aging. The tower even withstood an assault during the civil war, and it has some battle scars to show for it too. You can’t visit the city without seeing this majestic monument.

Magdalene Tower

Address: 9 Magdalene St, Upper Mell, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland

Website: Magdalene Tower

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

7. Enjoy a delicious Lebanese meal at Aisha's Cafe & Bistro

Posted by Aisha's Cafe & Bistro on Sunday, 6 October 2019

Take a break from seeing all the historical landmarks and enjoy a delicious Mediterranean meal at Aisha’s Café and Bistro. This much-visited spot offers some of the best food menus in the city. They offer well-prepared Middle Eastern, European, and Mediterranean meals with a wide variety of options for you to choose from. The food here is delicious, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and the staff is equally as excellent. It’s one of the best places to enjoy cuisines from other parts of the world within the town.

Aisha's Cafe & Bistro

Address: 4 Wellington Quay, Downtown Drogheda, Droichead Átha, Co. Louth, A92 NCC6, Ireland

Website: Aisha’s Cafe & Bistro

Opening hours: Sat: 1pm - 11:30pm; Sun: 1pm - 10pm; Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 3pm - 11pm

Visited this place?

8. Chill with a cold glass of beer at Cagney's Bar

Posted by Cagneys Bar Drogheda on Monday, 16 July 2018

The Irish are known for their love for pubs and beer. And one place to experience this rich Irish culture is at Cagney’s Bar. This establishment serves the very best cocktails, beers, and other variety of beverages in the city. You can buy either an alcoholic or a non-alcoholic drink—the aim is an ideal spot to hang out with friends or make new ones. Cagney’s Bar also has a great outdoor beer garden where you can enjoy views of the river, listen to good music, and sip your chilled pint of Guinness.

Cagney's Bar

Address: 3 Dyer St, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 X024, Ireland

Website: Cagney’s Bar

Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 11pm; Mon - Thu: 10:30am - 11:30pm; Fri: 10:30am - 12am; Sat: 10:30am - 12:30am

Visited this place?

9. Go on a wild waterslide ride at the exciting Funtasia Drogheda


For the ultimate water park experience, you should not miss a visit to Funtasia Water Park in Drogheda. This recreational hub is the best spot to have an exciting day indoors. Since it is located in the center of the city, you can visit other areas of interest around or check out the numerous diners nearby. Funtasia offers a lot of exciting activities, like gravity-defying boomerang slides, Super Bowl speed slides, and other attractions—including rock climbing, sky climbing, indoor zip lines, a mini-golf course, bowling lanes, etc. This place is just perfect for a fun day out with the family as there is something for everyone here.

Funtasia Drogheda

Address: Unit 1, Donore Road Industrial Estate, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 EVH6, Ireland

Website: Funtasia Drogheda

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 10pm; Mon - Fri: 3pm - 10pm

Price: 22 - 28 USD

Visited this place?

10. See how beer is brewed at Boyne Brewhouse


The city has a famous brewery in Boyne Brewhouse. It opened its doors for visitors to see its outstanding brewing process. The venue is run by a professional team of passionate beer lovers. At Boyne Brewhouse, you get to see how some premium real Irish beer is brewed, bottled, and stored. Visitors are also offered an opportunity to try out some of the products. So if you are a fan of Irish beverages, this gives you the perfect chance to witness how those incredibly tasting pints come to life.

Boyne Brewhouse

Address: Platin Road, Drogheda, Co. Meath, Ireland

Website: Boyne Brewhouse

Visited this place?

11. Buy high-quality items at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre


The beautifully designed and well-arranged Scotch Hall Shopping Center is the number one destination for purchasing quality and appealing items. This outstanding shopping hub offers a unique mix of stores and luxurious outlets for you to check out. Satisfy all your shopping desires by exploring the incredible supplies in this mall and buy the things you love—from clothes to electronics, children’s toys, and grocery products. No one is left out of the shopping spree. Also, you can’t go hungry here with the numerous restaurants that abound.

Scotch Hall Shopping Centre

Address: Marsh Rd, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland

Website: Scotch Hall Shopping Centre

Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 6pm; Mon - Wed & Sat: 9:30am - 6pm; Thu - Fri: 9:30am - 8pm

Visited this place?

12. Savor a great Irish meal at Esquires Coffee

Making weekend plans with friends? We've got a delicious varied menu that you can enjoy over your catch-up #EsquiresCoffee #LoveLocal

Posted by Esquires Coffee Ireland on Thursday, 10 October 2019

Many have described this spot as the best café in the entire city; don’t nurse any doubt without experiencing it yourself. Esquires Coffee offers an outstanding taste of Irish coffee, along with Irish and European dishes. The options here are many, with vegetarian and gluten-free meals for you to choose from. The service at Esquires Coffee is nothing short of amazing, with a warm ambiance that will keep you coming back for more.

Esquires Coffee

Address: 13 West St, Downtown Drogheda, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 NCA4, Ireland

Website: Esquires Coffee

Opening hours: Sun: 10am - 6pm; Mon - Sat: 8am - 6pm

Visited this place?

13. Pamper yourself at Aura Drogheda Leisure Center


Aura Drogheda Leisure Center gives you a place to treat your body and mind during your vacation. This venue, as its name implies, is a well-equipped relaxation and fitness center. it boasts features like a swimming pool, a pool for children, a steam room with hot tub, a fitness gym and a sauna, and so much more. Visit this center, get a therapeutic massage, or work out the stress of your everyday life and watch how your vacation gets even more fascinating.

Aura Drogheda Leisure Centre

Address: Marley’s Ln, Rathmullan, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland

Website: Aura Drogheda Leisure Centre

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 8:30pm - 6pm; Mon - Fri: 6:30am - 10pm

Price: 2 USD

Visited this place?

Enjoy a wonderful vacation at the historic city of Drogheda

Lying quietly in the Boyne Valley, Drogheda is every visitor’s delight. This rustic city has a rich history, friendly people, and a beautiful green landscape. It has so many historical locations to explore and experience, along with modern-day features, giving it a unique feel. This old town boasts a Unesco World Heritage Site, amazing ancient tombs, and great places to eat, drink, and stay. You won’t run out of exciting things to do in Drogheda, Ireland.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Ibrahim is a passionate writer with a keen interest in traveling. He not only travels to discover the world but also himself. And when it comes to writing, Ibrahim loves to keep it simple with a...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Drogheda
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.