Clogherhead Harbour in 1476
Sir Roland Fitzeustace and Dame Margaret Jenico, his wife, intended to repair the northern port of Kilclogher, through the non-repair of which ships, boats men and goods were lost. From ancient times customs were granted to the lords of the port for its construction and repair, but of late some persons had refused to pay said customs. By an Act passed in 1476, every boat coming into the port was to pay 4d., every ship having a boat 8d., and every boat fishing for herrings a mease of herrings to Roland and Margaret, provided there be no injury to the inhabitants of Dublin and Drogheda. No boat going to the herring fishery was to pay said mease save once yearly.
Source: Clogherhead through the Years, James Garry 2000


Clogherhead in 1837
Clogher or Kilclogher, a Parish, in the Barony of Ferrard, County of Louth, and province of Leinster, 6.25 miles (N.E) from Drogheda containing 1392 inhabitants. This place, which was anciently called Kilfinnabhoir, was distinguished in the earliest ages of Christianity in Ireland, by the foundation of a religious establishment, of which St. Nectan, nephew of St. Patrick, was abbot or bishop.
It is situated on the eastern coast, and the village, which is about half a mile to the west of Clogher Head, contains about 80 houses and 592 inhabitants, who are chiefly engaged in the fisher, which employs 7 smacks from 25 to 40 tons burden each, and 20 row boats. On the north side of Clogher Head is a small cove or dock, partly natural and partly excavated, to which a passage for boats has been cut through the beach. It is much frequented by fishing boats, on account of its affording shelter from all winds but the north east, it was much improved by the late Wallop Brabazon Esq., and might be made one of the best safety harbours in the kingdom.
On the south side of the promontory a broad strand extends four miles to the mouth of the river Boyne, and to the north of the village, stretching to Dunany Point, is a sandy bay with low reefs, of which one, nearly in the centre, called Cargee, is covered at high water. At Clogher Head is a coastguard station, one of six that constitutes the Dundalk district.
The Parish contains, according to the Ordnance Survey, 1861.25 statute acres, and is principally under tillage, and there is no waste land. The principal seat is Glaspistol House, the residence of J.Markey Esq. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Armagh and is part of the union of Termonfeckin, the tithes amount to £98. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Rathdrummin, and has a neat chapel at Hackett's Cross, with a national school adjoining. There is also a school aided by Capt. Hanfield, and a small hedge school. Near Mr. Markey's seat are the ruins of an ancient castle, consisting principally of a square tower, and at the village of Clogher are the ruins of the old church.
Source: Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. S.Lewis 1837


Clogherhead in 1844
Most extensive view is attained over sea and land. Dunany point and church, Barmeath, Rokeby Hall, Walshestown chapel and Collon hill are especial objects in the panorama ... ruins of the old church, still singularly perfect ... pretty vista of the village and the sea ... In the graveyard is a large enclosed monument to Brabazon Newcomen, who died in 1766 and whose decendants are still proprieters here, but their former mansion house, demesne and garden, at Calliaghstown, present day images of desolation and decay ... Off the Head E.N.E. lie Maguire's Bank, Rough Ground and New Bank, extending six to seven leagues to sea, and stretching six leagues in length, in from five to fifty fathoms water, they afford to the fishermen a great abundance of cod, haddock, conger, ling, mackerel, whiting, herrings, hake and all kinds of flat fish.
In 1388 the king granted licence to Edmond Berle, to alienate two-thirds of the manor of Kill-Clogher, with the reversion of another portion held by Sir Maurice Fitzeustace. After the disolution of monasteries, the Crown, having acquired the title of Kill-Clogher, which included the townlands of Kill-Clogher, Glaspistol, Calliaghstown, Almonstown, Castlecoo and Ganderstown, alias Ballygander.
Source: History of Drogheda, John D'Alton 1844

Clogherhead in 1886
Clogher is 6.25 miles, Irish, to the north east of Drogheda, and about an equal distranceto the railway ststion at Dunleer. Although the Head of Clogher is more than half a mile further to the east, the postalauthorities give the name of Clogherhead to the villagein which is situated the post office. The principal landowners of the district are Mr. Newcomen and Mr. G.Harley kirk, ex M.P. The future is bright with promise for the village and district. A work is in progress since August 1885, which will give to Clogherhead a harbour of refugeat a total cost of £17,000. The government has made a grant out of the Sea Fisheries Fund of £12,750 towards the expense, which left a balance of £4,250 to be made up locally. Of thos amount the baronies of Ferrard and Drogheda contributed £3,500.
Voluntary subscriptions in the county, chiefly from Drogheda, will go towards completing the grossamount. Port Oriel Harbour is the name by which it is to be known. In the opinion of competent judges there is no better fishing ground in Ireland than that outside Clogherhead. Herrings, mackeral, ling, plaice, sole and lobsters have been caught by the fishermen in the existing conditionof things, but necessarily in a small way, as the harbour has only consisted of a narrow cutting in the rock. Salmon fishing by drift netshas been carried on between the bar of Drogheda and Clogherhead by Captain Thompson and his five sons, but it failed. A bag net has been used for salmon by mr. Robert Newcomen with a certain degree of success.
The Rev. John Clarke P.P. Clogher, has been mainly instrumentalin securing the government grant for the new harbour. Alderman Patrick Casey Connolly, Mayor of Drogheda, has also manifested a deep concern in the future of the harbour. He has so much faith in it that he has been in negotiation for the purchase of building sites in the neighbourhood, and expects that a project for a tramway from Drogheda will receive the sanction of the Privy Council.
Clogherhead is one of the most charming of Louth summer resorts. From its rocky heights there is a splendid view of the sea and the mountain ranges to the north.
Population 662 in 1881. Salmon, Trout and Deep Sea fishing.
Source: ... condensed from Louth County Guide and Directory by George H bassett 1886.