Drogheda Leader

Hi all here's another great event as part of Lifestyle Development Group's 35 year Anniversary celebrations. They are having an exhibition of the work that is carried out on a weekly basis in Ballsgrove. It's a great opportunity to come along with your work and put it on display. From art, knitting, crochet, lace making, marquetry, sustainable projects, ceramics and patchwork. All are welcome come and see the Exhibition and see what's going on at Lifestyle. It's on Saturday 20th of June in St Peter's Church of Ireland Parish Hall, Peter St. Refreshments will be served. Come along and see some familiar faces of friends down the years from Lifestyle. This is a free event.

1,100-seater theatre plan for Bettystown

A planning application has gone in to Meath County Council for a 1,100-seater theatre at the site of the Funtasia Theme Park building in the main square in Bettsytown.

The development will consist of the construction of a new additional storey extension above the existing Funtasia building to include the theatre with balcony seating, bar, restaurant and ancillary spaces along with internal alterations to the existing first floor.

The development does not include any changes to the existing entertainment and amusement areas on the ground floor.

The building is located across from the Bettystown Civic Centre and Library, which opened last year.

For the full story, go to page 6 www.droghedaleader.ie

Over €20 million in funding announced for Phase 3 of the Northern Cross Route in Drogheda

It is a 'game changer for the town' says new Mayor of Drogheda

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD and Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, John Cummins TD today announced the 82 infrastructure projects which will be supported in the first phase of the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) programme.

The approved projects will directly enable the delivery of 86,000 new homes and provide the potential for a further 113,000 homes.

Included is funding for Phase 3 of the Northern Cross Route in Drogheda

The approval of funding for the third phase of Drogheda's Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) has been warmly welcomed by the newly elected Mayor of Drogheda Declan Power who said the €23.9 million in funding, approved by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD under the Housing Activation programme, will deliver the railway line crossing — the critical final link in a project that is already transforming the north side of Drogheda and unlocking thousands of new homes and huge opportunities for retail and leisure facilitied for the town.

Mayor Power said the timing of the announcement carried particular significance.

"In my inauguration speech last Monday, I spoke about the progress being made on Phase 2 and the importance of securing the housing activation funding needed to bring this project to completion. To have that funding approved in my very first week as Mayor of Drogheda is an incredibly welcome development as we drive things forward for Drogheda. This is exactly the kind of momentum our town needs."

Mayor Power described the approval as a landmark moment for Drogheda.

"Phase 3 is the piece that makes the entire route what it was always intended to be — a genuine cross-town link that takes traffic out of the town centre and opens up the north side for homes and investment. I am absolutely delighted that Minister Browne has approved this funding and I want to acknowledge the work of Louth County Council in building the case for it.

"Phase 2 of the PANCR is on track for completion by the end of 2026. Phase 3, which requires crossing the Dublin-Belfast railway line, had been the outstanding challenge for the project.
Mayor Power said he would be pressing for swift delivery."

He added, "The people of Drogheda have waited a long time for this. It is a game-changer for the town and I will be doing everything in my power as Mayor along with my councillor colleagues to ensure it is delivered."

Six tonnes of asbestos removed from Westgate House

By Lauren Ross

The regeneration of the long-awaited Westgate House in Drogheda is moving forward, but Louth County Council has revealed the scale of the challenge at the site, where six tonnes of asbestos have been removed and parts of the building are described as being in "a poor state".

Despite those issues, the council hopes to go to tender in September for a works contractor, with the project due to be completed by mid-2028.

The project, which received €7m in THRIVE funding, is intended to turn West Gate House and the former Drogheda Youth Development (DYD) building into a multi-functional cultural and community hub, featuring exhibition and performance spaces, artist studios, digital media facilities and meeting rooms. The total investment in the project is estimated at approximately €10m, with the €3 million balance to be provided by Louth County Council.

The update was given to members at the June meeting of Drogheda Borough District following Cllr Pio Smith’s (Lab) request for an update on the works.

A council official told members that the design team is still working through the structural assessment of the property, which was said to be in a “poor state to say the least”.

Works have already included the removal of six tonnes of asbestos from the former DYD building on the site with the official telling members a “lot of work is going on at the moment in getting the detailed design done, and paring back the walls from the old plasterboard that was put up to see what the actual issues are behind it.”

The older part of the building has also presented problems, with suspended floors having to be put in because the original floors are gone.

(Pictured is Westgate House and a design image of the building ahead of the works)

For more see page 4 www.droghedaleader.ie

Read our special Local Democracy feature (Supported by Coimisiún na Meán) with Meath County Council CEO Kieran Kehoe, who answered our questions about East Meath and parts of Drogheda administered by MCC.

We also put our readers' questions to Mr Kehoe, who took up the position in 2023.

The questions from residents ranged from ones about the former Bettystown Court Hotel and whether it will be added to the Derelict Sites register, to plans to combat coastal erosion along the East Meath coast.

See all the answers. Go to page 17 www.droghedaleader.ie

The Drogheda Leader is out today

You can pick up a copy from stands in shops and supermarkets across Drogheda, Mid Louth and East Meath.

Got a story? Email [email protected]

You can also read the newspaper online at www.droghedaleader.ie

This week's issue is out tomorrow

Keep an eye out for it in our branded stands in shops and supermarkets across Drogheda, Mid Louth and East Meath.

Got a story? Email [email protected] or send a private message.

You can read the newspaper online at www.droghedaleader.ie

See this week's issue for all the details about tomorrow's Drogheda Motor Show www.droghedaleader.ie

Anticipation is building for the return of the Drogheda Motor Show, set against a striking new backdrop at the historic West Gate, by the Old Abbey.

On Saturday, 13th June, from 10am to 4pm, the 16th annual Drogheda Motor Show will bring together 20 leading manufacturers, showcasing the latest in cars, vans and electric vehicles - all in the heart of Drogheda.

But this is far more than a motor show. Visitors can expect a vibrant, family-friendly day filled with live music, street performers, face painting, dancers and a magician, alongside a local craft market inside the Dominican Church.

Got a story? Email [email protected] or send a private message.

You can read the newspaper online at www.droghedaleader.ie

See this week's issue for all the details about the upcoming Drogheda Motor Show www.droghedaleader.ie

Anticipation is building for the return of the Drogheda Motor Show, set against a striking new backdrop at the historic West Gate, by the Old Abbey.

On Saturday, 13th June, from 10am to 4pm, the 16th annual Drogheda Motor Show will bring together 20 leading manufacturers, showcasing the latest in cars, vans and electric vehicles - all in the heart of Drogheda.

But this is far more than a motor show. Visitors can expect a vibrant, family-friendly day filled with live music, street performers, face painting, dancers and a magician, alongside a local craft market inside the Dominican Church.