This belfry tower is the only remain of an ancient, and now disappeared, Dominican Priory founded in 1224 by Lucas de Netterville, who was the Archbishop of Armagh.
At this site, in 1395 O'Neill, prince of Ulster, along with the O'Donnell, O'Hanlon and McMahon clans declared submission and loyalty to king Richard II.
The tower was added in the 14th century.
The priory was dissolved in 1541 under king Henry VIII, but it had been even proposed as the site for a university that would been established at Drogheda.
The tower, which is located at the highest point of Drogheda, has a tall Gothic archway at the ground level, this archway was the crossing point between the nave and the chancel of the church and is aligned east-west (95°-275°). Above the archway there are two further floors with lancet windows and a top with stepped battlements.
Unfortunately the tower stands in the private grounds of the St. John of God Service and it's completely fenced, so having a closer look is impossible without getting the permission from the staff of the centre.
We were so pleased to be welcomed at the tower by a wonderful and friendly ginger cat who is locally known with the name of... Ginger!
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