Sheep Gate, Medieval city gate in Trim, Ireland
Sheep Gate is a stone archway in Trim, the only surviving gate of the five that once gave access to the town. It stood at the southeastern entrance, just north of the River Boyne, and is a National Monument.
The gate was built in the 13th or 14th century and is the last surviving of five original gates that once controlled town access. Its survival marks an important piece of the town's medieval structure.
The gate's name comes from a toll system where merchants paid a fee for sheep brought to market in medieval times. This naming reflects how central livestock trading was to the town's economy and daily activity.
The gate sits north of the River Boyne in the historic section of town and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors can view it from outside and explore the surrounding medieval streets at their own pace.
In medieval times this gate was locked between 9 PM and 4 AM with strict guard duty, controlling who could enter during night hours. This security system reveals how seriously the town protected its residents after dark.
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