by the English called Tredah, a town of Ireland, in the province of Leinster and county of Louth, and situated on the bay of the fame name, in W. Long. 6. 17. N. Lat. 53. 45. It was formerly very remarkable for its situation and strength. In con-sequence of this it was much distinguished by the old English monarchs. Edward II. granted it a market and fair; and to thefe were added other great privileges in succeeding ages, particularly the right of coin-age. It was bravely defended against the rebels in 1641. After the cellation of arms, it was taken by the duke of Ormond and the earl of Inchiquin: but was retaken by Cromwell in 1649. At this time it suffered so much, that for a long time after it remained almost in ruins. The buildings were exceedingly shattered; and the town being taken by storm, not only the gar-rison, but the inhabitants, men, women, and children, were mostly put to the sword. By degrees, however, it recovered, and is at prefent a large and populous place. It is a town and county; and as such fenf two members to the Irish parliament. It has a great share of inland trade, and an advantageous commerce with England; and though the port is but indifferent and narrow at its entrance, with a bar over which ships of burden cannot pass but at high water, yet a great deal of business is done; fo that from a low and declining port, it is now become rich and thriving.

Drogheda is perhaps one of the strongest instances that can be mentioned of the ineffimable benefit of a river in any degree navigable; for though the Boyne is not capable of carrying veffels of a greater size than barges or pretty large boats, yet the conveniency that this affords of conveying coals by water carriage through a great extent of country, produced an intercourse be-tween this place and Whitehaven in Cumberland, to which the revival of its commerce has been in a great measure owing.