The Start

We started our research with a walking tour of Dundalk, conducted by Mr. Hugh Smyth of County Louth Historical Tours and the County Museum.

The Town

People have lived in Dundalk for over 5,000 years. It is the home of Cuchulainn and the Castle Warrior.The town of Dundalk was founded by Berthram De Verdon c. 1180.In the early 13th century a Parish Church was built along with Castles and Medieval Walls .

People have lived in this area for well over 5000 years. Most, if not all traces have been lost or destroyed. One of the remaining monuments is the Proleek Dolmen. It dates from C. 3700 B.C.

What did our area look like around 1000 A.D.?

At that time we had a very sparsely populated area. Life had begun to change with the coming of the Christian era.

We had not completely accepted Christianity and we still had tribes showing loyalty to different Kings. People still looked to Tara as the political, economical and spiritual centre of Ireland.

Monastic settlements had sprung up and these had helped to develop a new way of life and the people had adopted new farming methods.

However, life was hard and, large sections of the population were still living in poverty. Housing was almost non-existent - no sanitation and, of course, people died at a younger age.

^TOP

The Normans: 

 Around 1169 the Normans arrived in Waterford, Ireland, led by Strongbow.  As they conquered they proceeded to march north capturing the lands as they went.  These lands were distributed amongst themselves and this area was granted to Bertram De Verdon.  He established a Motte & Bailey at Castletown Mount together with a church and parish.  This was the Old Dundalk.

Later, they moved to the areas around Church Street, York Street and, Bridge Street.  Here they set up the New Dundalk. The only remaining structures of this period that are to be found are the parish church of St. Nicholas, The Franciscan Bell Tower and, St. Leonard's Priory.

Dundalk became a Medieval Town with seven castles along its main route with a wall on the west side and the sea to the east, with the Castletown river to the north.  The more prominent of the castles were, Roths, Howthes and Dowdalls with Mortimers to the south.  These were all for defence as the Irish Chieftains did not take too kindly to the Norman Campaign. Dundalk was attacked and burnt on many occasions, especially by the O’Neill’s.  We know that between 1423 – 1444 it was attacked by the O’Neill’s and the O’Donnell’s on at least three occasions. 

The Norman’s invited many Religious Orders from the Continent to come and set up in this area.

^TOP

St Nicholas' Parish Church - the 'Green Church'

This 13th century old church was the first Parish Church of Dundalk. It was built by the De Verdon family and formed the centre of the "New Dundalk". It contains many notable features and many people of note have passed through its hallowed walls. The Churchyard contains the graves of many people dating from 1536.

Stained Glass Window

The magnificent stained glass window was installed in 1812. The glass is from the Netherlands and the oldest pane dates from c.1475. The panes contain scenes from the Old and New Testaments and also depicts some Saints and Apostles.

^TOP