Francis Ledwidge Museum

About the museum

The museum is the cottage near Slane where the poet Francis Ledwidge was born on 19 August 1887. It is a good example of a nineteenth-century farm labourer's cottage. His poems were championed by his patron and friend Lord Dunsany, who was largely responsible for collecting and publishing them.

Ledwidge served as a soldier in the British Army in the First World War and was killed at the Third Battle of Ypres on 31 July 1917, seventeen days before his thirtieth birthday. His first volume, Songs of the Fields, appeared in 1915 while he was still serving, and more than 200 poems have since been published.

The museum tells his life from his birth in the cottage to his death near Ypres. It shows original letters, poems and memorabilia and uses wall panels to tell his story. A quiet garden at the back of the cottage contains a replica of the monument that the city of Ypres put up on the spot where he was killed. The museum has long been run by a volunteer committee, and Meath County Council has been reported to be taking over its management.

Highlights

• Birthplace cottage of the poet Francis Ledwidge
• Original letters, poems and First World War memorabilia
• Life story told on wall panels
• Garden with a replica of the Ypres memorial

Permanent exhibition

• The life and poetry of Francis Ledwidge – Original letters, poems and wartime memorabilia and wall panels on the poet's life, in his birthplace cottage.

Operated by

Francis Ledwidge Museum committee (volunteers)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No accessibility information was found.

Kids & families

Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children under 12.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 15 to 20 minutes' walk from Slane village, on the Drogheda road.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The online bookshop sells books and CDs; books are also on sale in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit