Inside West Gate House: New Drone Footage Shows Progress on THRIVE Project
Behind the façade of West Gate House and the former Drogheda Youth Development (DYD) Building, work continues on Louth County Council’s THRIVE project that will transform the historic site into a new landmark facility for community and youth development in Drogheda.
West Gate House is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.
Funding is also being provided by Louth County Council towards the project.
Built around 1790, the precarious nature of West Gate House meant that it could not be safely accessed when the project began. As a result, drones were used to carry out the first detailed surveys of the buildings, allowing engineers and conservation specialists to photograph, record and measure the structure from outside the building.
The drone surveys helped to identify the essential works required to make the buildings safe and accessible.
A number of significant structural issues were identified, particularly in the older sections of the building. Floors were found to be unstable, while several roof and gable support beams had deteriorated.
To allow detailed inspections to take place, extensive safeguarding works were carried out. These included supporting walls and ceilings, installing temporary floors and creating safe access routes throughout the buildings.
Approximately six tonnes of asbestos were identified and safely removed. Debris, along with bird and rodent waste, was cleared from the site and affected areas were fully decontaminated.
The above safeguarding works have allowed detailed architectural, engineering and archaeological surveys to be completed over the past few months. The findings from this work are informing the next stage of the project, with Shaffrey Architects currently developing the detailed design for the restoration and redevelopment of the facility, with construction scheduled to commence in 2027.
The Story of West Gate House
The surveys are helping to build a clearer understanding of how West Gate House evolved over more than two centuries.
Research carried out to date shows the site has served many purposes throughout its history. Originally built as a family home, it later accommodated business, trade and industrial activity before becoming a Guest House that many local people will remember today.
As part of this work, Louth County Council has engaged community historian Brendan Matthews to prepare a social history of the building and its occupants. Details of a public presentation on the findings, due to take place in September, will be announced shortly.
For more information on the West Gate House project, visit the Louth County Council THRIVE West Gate House page.