St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Drogheda 4.19

4.4 star(s) from 53 votes
West Street
Drogheda,
Ireland

About St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Drogheda

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Drogheda St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Drogheda is a well known place listed as Catholic Church in Drogheda , Landmark in Drogheda ,

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St. Peter's Roman Catholic Latin Rite Church is located on West Street, Drogheda, Ireland. Designed by J. O'Neill and W.H. Byrne and built in the French Gothic style of local limestone ashlar in 1884. The church is famous for it tall west gable, rose window and for containing the national shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett.HistoryDuring the time of the Penal Laws, Catholic chapels were barred within a town's walls. Therefore, Drogheda's Catholic chapel was outside the Westgate and was inadequate for the needs of the populace. A plot of land on a suitable site in West Street (Drogheda's main street) was persistently refused by the corporation. Eventually, through the influence of a Mr. Chester, who was a wealthy Catholic, a lease was finally secured.A ceremony was held for all to witness Richard O'Reilly, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all-Ireland laying the foundation stone. Although the occasion was marred by an unseemly interruption, when the Mayor and Drogheda corporation arrived at the ceremony wearing their official regalia, with the Mace and Sword of state being borne before them, to confront the Archbishop. They warned him that a 'Popish Chapel' would not be tolerated within the town walls.Sir Edward Bellew of Barmeath Castle, a Catholic, stepped forward and convinced the mayor and corporation and their fellow travelers to withdraw. The proceedings continued without further ado and the foundation stone was duly laid.