Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his view on a matter raised in relation to Newgrange and related matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43259/23]
View answerBrú na Bóinne is a complex and multi-layered archaeological ensemble and an extensive UNESCO World Heritage property. The upstanding monuments, most notably the great passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, constitute only a fragment of the overall archaeological resources across the World Heritage property, with new discoveries constantly being made and records often re-interpreted by scholars according to the availability of new information.
New theories and interpretative models arise regularly from such discoveries, along with calls for further direct investigation. The State is not in a position to react immediately to these as they arise, though all are noted. Acknowledging the importance of having a clear picture of the extent of research carried out in the world heritage landscape up until present, and developing avenues for further research in years ahead to augment the understanding of the landscape, the National Monument Service (NMS) of my Department is commencing an initial review of the established Brú na Bóinne Research Framework that will support and inform a revised Management Plan and future research strategies. NMS has acknowledged theories put forward about Newgrange and associated archaeological features, all of which will be considered in this review. It should be noted that any and all works at and in the vicinity of National Monuments are subject to Consent and the full rigour of advanced expert archaeological investigation.
