A thriving port and the gateway to the Boyne Valley, Drogheda still largely follows the old medieval town plan and is home to a collection of historical remnants - the old town walls and St. Laurence Gate still impose their presence on the town, especially St Laurence's Gate which is Drogheda's most recognisable landmark.

Drogheda was officially founded in 1194 with the bestowal of a charter on it by Hugh de Lacy. Until 1412 Drogheda consisted of two towns, the de Lacy foundation on the south side and the de Verdun foundation on the north side of the Boyne.