Easy hikes and walks around The Municipal District of Laytown — Bettystown

Dominating West Street, St. Peter’s is a breathtaking late 19th-century neo-Gothic masterpiece famed for its soaring limestone spire and stunning rose window. Beyond its architectural beauty, it is an internationally renowned pilgrimage site housing the National Shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett. Inside, visitors can view a truly unique and sobering historical relic: the remarkably preserved severed head of the martyred archbishop, alongside his actual prison cell door. As an active parish, it offers a peaceful, reverent atmosphere for both spiritual pilgrims and curious history buffs alike. It is an unmissable, fascinatingly distinct landmark that captures the deeply layered history of Drogheda in just a brief visit.

Standing proudly at the intersection of Shop Street and West Street, The Tholsel is an 18th-century limestone clock tower that serves as the unmistakable architectural anchor of Drogheda's town center. Once the historic seat of the town council, this beautifully restored landmark now houses the local tourist information center and a fantastic interactive exhibition on the region's rich heritage. A brilliant blend of functional tourism and living history. Whether you are looking for expert travel advice or a quick dose of local culture, this magnificent landmark is an essential pitstop on any Drogheda itinerary.

Towpath along this section of the Boyne Navigation. These short sections of canal were built between 1748 and about 1800 to bypass the rougher sections of the river and allow industrial boats further upstream. Today they make for nice quiet and flat sections of canal or riverside walking.

Footbridge over the Boyne Navigation near the Currach Centre. The towpath west of here is very nice for a walk but to continue east you'll have to use a section of road.

View of the River Boyne from the Boyne Navigation towpath. The canal was cut to make navigation of this stretch of the river possible for the narrow boats and barges of the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today this is a beautiful canal and river walk, on an easy surface with the chance to see kingfishers and other wildlife.

Lock no. 7 holds the water of the Boyne Navigation back from the River Boyne. They started construction of the canal in 1748, and it eventually stretched for 30.5 km (19 miles) from Drogheda to Navan. Today the tow path provides a nice out and back, but you can't cross the river to make a loop.

On the right bank lies Millmount, presumably an old Bronze Age burial mound, which successively served as a watchtower, feudal motte and finally as a fortress. From the top you have a panoramic view of the city. In the Millmount Museum & Tower, an interesting small museum about local history, you will discover a unique collection of company flags and memorabilia from the American War of Independence.

At the intersection of Shop Street and West Street stands the Tholsel clock tower (18th century), which was the seat of the town council until the end of the 19th century and now serves as a tourist information centre. This tower is an excellent landmark in the centre of Drogheda. Inside, an interactive exhibition on the history of the area can be viewed.