St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Drogheda

Saint Peter's Church
View from West Street
Saint Peter's Church
Location	Drogheda
Country	Republic of Ireland
Denomination	Roman Catholic Latin Rite
History
Founded	1793 (1793)
Relics held	Saint Oliver Plunket
Architecture
Status	Active
Functional status	Chapel of ease
Architect(s)	J. O'Neill and W.H. Byrne
Style	French Gothic
Completed	1884
Specifications
Length	161 feet
Width	101 feet
Nave width	65 feet
Height	222 feet
Administration
Parish	St Peter's, Drogheda
Diocese	Archdiocese of Armagh
Province	Armagh

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 shire St. Oliver Plunkett

History

File:St Peter's Church Nave 1, Drogheda, Ireland - Diliff.jpg

The view of the nave looking north to the altar

During the Penal days, chapels were not countenanced within the walls of a town and so Drogheda's parish chapel was outside the Westgate and was inadequate for the needs of the populace. A peace 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 help for all to whiteness Primate O'Reilly laying the foundation stone, although the occasion was marred by an unseemly interruption. The mayor and corporation of Drogheda, wearing their official regalia, with the Mace and Sword of state being borne before them, arrived at the scene to confront the primate. They warned him that a 'Popish Chapel' would not be tolerated within the town walls.

Lord Ballew of Barmeath Castle, A Catholic stepped forward and rationalised with the mayor and corporation and the adversary withdrew. The proceedings continued without further ado and the foundation stone was duly laid.

The first Church on the site was completed in 1793 to a design by Francis Johnston to a cost in the region of £12,000.

Present building

See also: Saint Oliver Plunkett

The façade of St. Peters is an imposing structure in the French Gothic Revival style, built of local limestone. It is one of the most notable buildings on West Street in the town centre of Drogheda. The building from 1793 was partly incorporated into the present building. The tower of the church is very similar to that of St. Patrick's Church in Dungannon, County Tyrone. A detail image of that building is held at the Highlanes Gallery, illustrated on a mid 19th Century (ca. 1861) map of the town created by Isaiah Rowland CE.

The Church is famous for housing the National Shrine to St. Oliver Plunkett, who was martyred at Tyburn in 1681. The shrine is most elaborate and contains the preserved head of the saint. Another showcase displays his shoulder blade and other bones as relics. Also on exhibit is the cell door of Newgate prison in which he spent his last days.

The Church is a huge tourist attraction but signs urge silence and remind people that they are in a sacred place.

Gallery

• 

  St. Peters houses the national shire to Saint Oliver Plunkett

• 

  Shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett up close, showing Plunkett's head.

• 2 Shrine of St Oliver Plunkett, Drogheda 2007-10-5.jpg

  Shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett.

External links

• Saint Peter's Church
• Drogheda on the Boyne - Saint Peter's Church
• Saint Peter's Parish