Drogheda

ST MAGDALEN’S CHURCH IN DROGHEDA IS NO LONGER ACTIVE

September 10, 2024 by infomatique

DOMINICAN ORDER IN IRELAND

The story of St. Magdalen’s Church reflects the complex interplay of faith, history, and societal change. While its doors may be closed, its legacy endures, a reminder of the Dominican Order’s deep roots in Drogheda and the ongoing evolution of religious life in Ireland.

St. Magdalen’s Church, Drogheda: A History of Faith and Transformation

St. Magdalen’s Church in Drogheda stands as a testament to the enduring presence of the Dominican Order in Ireland, despite its own physical absence. Though the church building no longer functions as a place of worship, its history sheds light on a vibrant community and its evolving role in the town and beyond.

A Flourishing Start:

Founded in 1224 by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh, the Dominican Friary of St. Mary Magdalene quickly gained prominence.
It became a centre of religious and intellectual life, witnessing significant events like the submission of Ulster chiefs to Richard II in 1399.
The friary endured turbulent times, including suppression during the Reformation and damage during the Cromwellian siege of Drogheda in 1649. Yet, the Dominican spirit persevered.
Rebuilding and Rebirth:

In the 19th century, as Catholic Emancipation brought renewed freedoms, the Dominican Order returned to Drogheda. The present St. Magdalen’s Church, built in 1878, replaced an earlier chapel and served as a spiritual hub for the growing community.
Attached to a Dominican convent, the church flourished throughout the 20th century, witnessing countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals, marking the milestones of generations of Drogheda residents.
A Changing Landscape:

The late 20th century brought challenges for religious orders across Ireland, including declining vocations and changing societal attitudes. The Dominican convent in Drogheda closed in 2000, and St. Magdalen’s Church ceased to function as a place of worship soon after.
Current Status & Future:

The Dominican Order, though no longer physically present in Drogheda, maintains a vibrant presence in Ireland. Their legacy continues through various ministries and institutions, fostering faith and education throughout the country.
The St. Magdalen’s Church building is currently owned by the Drogheda Credit Union. While its future remains uncertain, there is hope that it will be preserved and repurposed, honouring its historical and architectural significance.

PHOTOGRAPHED 18 APRIL 2011 BEFORE CHURCH BECAME INACTIVE

October 20, 2023 by infomatique

ST MARY MAGDALEN’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DROGHEDA

SAME CHURCH OCTOBER 2023

The first thing that anyone will notice on arrival in Drogheda is the number of churches but like other towns and villages in Ireland religious observance is in rapid decline.

Louth County Council had purchased the 18th century St. Mary Magdalen’s church from the Dominican order in 2020 when they decided to leave Drogheda after almost 800 years. Apparently the Order of Preachers had decided back in 2014 to withdraw from the following locations – St Magdalen’s, Drogheda; Leeson Park in Dublin; St Dominic’s, Athy; St Saviour’s, Limerick; and St Saviour’s, Ballybeg, Waterford. Until today [16 October 2023], the only closure that I was aware of was the church in Limerick.

As a matter of interest I used a Sony NEX-5. “The Sony α NEX-5 is a digital camera launched on 11 May 2010. It is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with the body size of a larger model fairly compact point-and-shoot camera with a larger sensor size (APS-C) comparable to that of some digital single-lens reflex cameras. Its major competitors in the market are the cameras based on the micro 4/3 standard created by Panasonic and Olympus, and a few low end Canon, Nikon, and even Sony α DSLRs. The NEX-5 shoots 14.2 megapixel stills and has a 7 frame/s continuous shotmode.It has the capability to shoot 1920×1080i at 60 frame/s in AVCHD or 1440×1080p at 30 frame/s in MPEG4. The NEX-5 was replaced by the 16 megapixel NEX-5N in August 2011.”

ST MARY MAGDALEN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DROGHEDA [PHOTOGRAPHED 18 APRIL 2011 BEFORE CHURCH BECAME INACTIVE] 002
ST MARY MAGDALEN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DROGHEDA [PHOTOGRAPHED 18 APRIL 2011 BEFORE CHURCH BECAME INACTIVE] 001

FR MEADTHE MEMORIAL CROSS AT THE DOMINICAN CHURCH IN DROGHEDA

October 20, 2023 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 18 APRIL 2011 BEFORE THE CHURCH BECAME INACTIVE

MY OCTOBER 2023 VISIT TO DROGHEDA

The solemn opening of St. Magdelene’s Dominican Church took place on the 15th September 1878 about eight years after the commencing of the building

The dedication was performed by Primate Archbishop McGettigan accompanied by D. Leahy OP. Bishop of Dromore. There was Solemn High Mass at which the Primate presided attended by Dr Leahy.

Drogheda-born Fr Meadthe who was instrumental in having the church built was also present. According to the inscription on the high cross he died the following year at the age of 59.

The surname of the priest is unusual but the spelling appears to be correct.

MEMORIAL CROSS

QUICK VISIT TO ST MARY’S CHURCH

October 19, 2023 by infomatique

JAMES STREET LAGANVOOREN DROGHEDA

MY OCTOBER 2023 VISIT TO DROGHEDA

I must admit that until today I had never heard of Lagavooren.

Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, built by architect P. J. Dodd, closely resembles the design of Saint Peter’s Parish Church across the river to its north-west. It is a fine example of a late-Victorian interpretation of the French Gothic style. Elaborate carved detailing and an imposing rose window create an impressive and eye-catching north façade and the church is a focal point within an area composed largely of small residential structures. Fine detailing, tiling, painted decoration and stained glass by Lobin and Mayer add artistic interest.

SOME OLD IMAGES OF ST PETERS CHURCHYARD IN DROGHEDA

October 19, 2023 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 20212 BY WILLIAM MURPHY

MY OCTOBER 2023 VISIT TO DROGHEDA

It rained during my visit and upon becoming wet some of the flat table like gravestones became black.

This week I realised that I had not visited Drogheda since 2012 so I decided that it might be a good to get the train to the town and devote a few hours to photographing some of the local churches however I got distracted and did have the time to visit St Pete’s Church Of Ireland churchyard. However, I am planning to visit again later this month or sometime in November [2023]

Within the churchyard of St. Peter’s can be found many interesting and varied funerary monuments. Of these, perhaps the most interesting and visited is a “cadaver stone” taken from the tomb of Sir Edmond Goldyng and his wife Elizabeth Fleming. It is built into the churchyard wall, east of the present building and shows two cadavers enclosed in shrouds which have been partially opened to show the remains of the occupants of the tomb.

Helen M. Roe in the Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquities, 1969 estimates that a date for the tomb would seem to fall within the first quarter of the 16th century. This type of tombstone is part of a fashion widespread in Europe, although relatively rare in Ireland, which explored bodily decomposition and human mortality. This reflected a preoccupation with death arising from the great plague of 1347 to 1350, and subsequent epidemics.