The Dundalk-based Argus began publication as The Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal. The weekly newspaper is fourteen years older than its rival in Co. Louth, the Dundalk Democrat, which was established in 1849

The Drogheda Argus & Leinster Times was first established in 1835 with a staunch Unionist leaning run by a Newry man called R.H. Taylor. Taylor purchased the Drogheda Advertiser from the two McKeown sisters in 1926 and merged the two papers in 1929. The Argus closed in 1936. The Argus was purchased and relaunched 1943 by Joe Stanley, a great friend of de Valera. The Argus was relaunched with a strong Republican slant. The relaunch of the Argus 1943 was greeted with surprise and anger.  During this period 'The Emergence' newspapers were working with strict allocation on print and reduced pagination. The Argus did the impossible by securing enough newsprint to start the publication. Joe Stanley used his connections with de Valera to great effect. 

Available years:
The Drogheda Argus & Leinster Times 1835 - 1909
The Argus 2000 - 2022

Citation The Newspaper Book  by Hugh Oram