The church houses the preserved head of St. Oliver Plunkett, who was martyred at Tyburn in 1681.
St. Oliver Plunkett was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975, the first Irish saint in 700 years.
The church was designed by architect John O'Neill and constructed between 1881 and 1884.
The shrine containing the saint's relics is located in a dedicated side chapel within the church.
The church features a distinctive high spire that serves as a landmark for the town of Drogheda.
St. Peter's Parish Church in Drogheda is a prominent 19th-century neo-Gothic building located on West Street. The structure is widely recognized for housing the preserved shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett, the former Archbishop of Armagh. The church features elaborate stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings characteristic of the Victorian Gothic Revival period. It serves as both an active place of worship and a significant site for religious pilgrimage in Ireland. The building was constructed to replace an older chapel and represents the prominence of the Catholic Church in post-Emancipation Ireland. It remains the principal Catholic church in the town of Drogheda.
From the opposite side of West Street for a full view of the neo-Gothic facade and spire.
Respect those praying in the pews by maintaining a quiet demeanor near the shrine.
Photography is generally permitted, but avoid using flash when the church is in use for services.
Take time to walk around the exterior to view the detailed stonework of the facade.
Do not attempt to enter the building or move around the nave during weddings, funerals, or daily mass.
Maintain silence, dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees, and remove hats while inside.
