Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 April 2022
134. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the visitor centre at the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, County Meath has not been reopened to the public; the number of days the visitor centre has been open since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOldbridge Estate is situated on 500 acres in Co. Meath taking in much of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, for current and future generations. The site is of deep historical and political significance to many communities on the island of Ireland and a significant population of visitors from communities in Northern Ireland visit the site each year.
The visitor centre reopened, in line with public safety advice and Fáilte Ireland sectoral guidelines, on 10th May 2021. There have not been any further COVID-19 related closures.
Oldbridge House provides an interpretative centre, which can welcome over 30,000 annual visitors to the exhibition featuring authentic 17th century armaments and accompanying audio-visual presentations. The OPW planned essential maintenance to the lighting system during the quiet winter period. In order to facilitate this maintenance, the visitor centre closed to the public on 30th December 2021. This work was scheduled to take four weeks. During this time, outdoor tours and the separate theatre building continued to welcome visitors.
However, unrelated to the essential maintenance to the lighting system, the scale laser display of the Battle become inoperable. As this is the central attraction, the visitor centre remained closed while a replacement system was identified. The required works began on site last week to repair the laser display. It is hoped that this will be fully operational by the end of May
The Deputy will be pleased to know that the Visitor Centre has reopened, with effect from Monday 25th April 2022. As a gesture of goodwill, we are offering free of charge, self-guiding admission into the exhibition for a limited period.
