towers historical louth

Tholsel which stands at the junction of West Street and Shop Street. This is a fine builiding of local limestone, surmounted by a tower, which houses a large four-faced clock. Erected in 1770 on the site of the old mediaeval wooden Tholsel, it was for almost 130 years the centre of municipal authority, until the Corporation moved its offices and Council Chambers to the then newly-erected Courthouse in Fair Street in 1889. It is now occupied by the Bank of Ireland Group, who keep the building...

The Magdalene Tower crowns the highest point in the northern part of the town and is a landmark for many miles around. It was the belfry tower of the once extensive Dominican friary founded here about 1224 by Lucas de Netterville Archbishop of Armagh. The tower appears to be of 14th century construction and was possibly a later addition to the monastery. It springs from a fine Gothic Arch above which there are two further storeys connected by a spiral staircase, the entrance to which is a con...