Calls to locate museum on Battle of the Boyne site

A cross-border heritage and environment forum has called for the development of an All-Ireland Museum of Military History on the site of the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge.

The Battle for the Boyne Forum, which has members from the immediate area and from Northern Ireland, believes it makes good business sense as to create the epicentre for Military History on the island of Ireland at the site of the island’s most famous and greatest land battle.

“There is huge potential to expand on both the story of the largest and most famous battle fought on Irish soil - The Battle of the Boyne - as well as presenting Ireland’s military history and legends throughout the ages – and do it in a sensitive manner,” said Brian Hanratty, a director of the Forum.

The Forum has started to engage with interested parties, including government Ministers, to highlight the potential of the proposal to establish the Museum at Oldbridge House and Gardens which comprises 500 acres and is owned by the state.

"We would hope to get support from the Shared Island initiative," he said.

Mr Hanratty said the forum's proposal was more practical than recent proposals for a Bank Holiday in the Republic on 12th July.

"It would attract widespread support from all sides on this island."

Comparing the Interpretative Centre commemorating the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium with the current Interpretative Centre for The Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, Mr Hanratty describes the latter as “modest and underwhelming.”

He says expanding the facility at Oldbridge to become an All-Ireland Museum of Military History, would address the fact that there is no proper venue at which to appreciate both the chronological and geographical significance of the Irish contribution to military history across the world as well as the many facets of military activity on this island.

“For example, the Boyne site is the perfect location to crystallise through displays the many milestones recently commemorated in the 'Decade of Centenaries' – including the Ulster Covenant in 1912; the 1916 Rising; the War of Independence; the foundation of the National Army in 1922; the Civil War and the establishment of Northern Ireland.

“It’s not good enough to commemorate these on their centenary, we need a permanent reminder of them. We also need to start reflecting on the difficult history of the island since then and all parties and groups with an interest need to be consulted. This expansive site; its pivotal location and context also lends itself to hosting a Global Peace and Reconciliation Centre.”

"Too often we tend to think only about battles and campaigns fought on Irish soil and forget about the role the Irish played elsewhere, in two World Wars and in the British army and navy and others across Europe and the Americas over the centuries. There are the inventors too, like John Philip Holland who invented the first viable submarine. "Way back, there’s Brian Boru and further back, the legends of Finn MacCumhaill and the Fianna.”

The Forum believes there are many possibilities to consider within such an extensive site that’s easily accessed from across Ireland, being only thirty minutes from Dublin and ninety from Belfast.

"In the UK, the National Memorial Arboretum in the Midlands extends to 150 acres and is a year-round national site of remembrance which honours the fallen, recognises service and sacrifice, and fosters pride in their armed forces. Such a space would comfortably fit into just a part of the Oldbridge site," he said.

Having commemorated the centenary of the foundation of the National Army in 2022, the Forum says that it is regrettable that the history and important memorabilia associated with the now Defence Forces are scattered across the Republic in various military installations and other locations, including Collins Barracks.

"For example, the Irish Air Corps has a collection of vintage military aircraft housed at their Baldonnel airbase; the Army has the historic 'Sliabh na mBan' armoured car in which Michael Collins travelled on the day he was shot at a museum in the Curragh Army base.

"It makes sense that on a small island, all these historical items are brought together in a suitable location for people to appreciate. In our opinion, Oldbridge is that location, and from an all-island perspective the forum believes that groups and organisations in Northern Ireland want their stories of heroism told too for all to see – and be part of the exhibits there."

The Forum says that with nearby historic locations like Drogheda, Trim, and Tara having their own unique military history; the adjacent privately owned Irish Military War Museum in Collon and Francis Ledwidge’s home at Slane, the Boyne Valley is a natural centre for Military History and the potential to attract tourists interested in Battlefield Tourism.

"An indication of that interest is that almost 2.5 million people visited Flanders Fields, Belgium throughout centenary commemorations for the First World War during 2014-2018, and 60per cent indicated an interest in returning.

“Given that in recent years, Co Dublin earned thirty eight times more revenue from tourism and visitors than Louth and Meath combined, it also makes good business sense to create the epicentre for Military History at the site of the island’s most famous land battle.

“We are calling on the relevant authorities including Tourism Ireland, OPW, the National Museum and the Ulster Museum as well as key historians and other academics to engage with cultural and other groups in the Republic and Northern Ireland to explore this idea

"This wonderful location could help broaden an understanding for those at home; the diaspora and others overseas who have a link to, or interest in Ireland’s military history going right back through the centuries and millennia. We need to honour the illustrious military history of this small island and those professional Irish soldiers who bravely fought across the globe as well as reflecting on the island’s more troubled recent history.

"Cromwellian Drogheda and Norman Trim have their own military history, as well as Tara, ancient seat of the High Kings. Annagassan is an emerging Viking Centre. There is no better location on the island of Ireland than Oldbridge in the Boyne Valley in which to focus on Battlefield Tourism and Ireland’s Military History."