Gatehouses Gatehouses Click on pictures for larger view Drogheda Gatehouse - Front, Drogheda, County Louth, probably 13th century Drogheda is probably most famous for its battle with Oliver Cromwell in 1649. This gatehouse was the main gatehouse and was originally connected to giant curtain walls that surrounded the city. When Cromwell invaded the walls were breached and since then they've been destroyed mostly due to progress. However this gatehouse remains mostly intact. Constructed of two main drum towers it is connected by a supporting wall and a common roof walk.
Arrow slits dominate the towers and the supporting wall.
This type of structure was uncommon but is also evident in the castle in Listowel . This is the inside view of the Drogheda Gatehouse. Notice the arch support at the top, deep inset and crenelated carriage arch with arrow slits. This gatehouse is of more modern construction, probably built in the late 17th century to mid-18th century based on a Norman castle theme. Gatehouses such as this were not a means of protection other than to inspect visitors to the castle within the walls.